Chillicothe, Ohio — A corrections officer died after being attacked by an inmate at an Ohio prison on Christmas morning, officials said Wednesday.
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The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said corrections officer Andrew Lansing died that morning at Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe “following an attack by an inmate.”
“Losing an employee is difficult, but losing a family member at the hands of someone in our custody on Christmas Day is a tragedy beyond comprehension,” said Department Director Annette Chambers-Smith. said in a statement,
“Instead of going home after his shift to be with his family this holiday, Officer Lansing made the ultimate sacrifice, and our agency will never be the same,” Chambers-Smith said.
No details about the alleged attack or the prisoner were immediately released. The prison was said to be “operating under restricted movement” and was being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
“The inmate suspect has been transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility,” the department said.
Lansing was described at the prison as “a longtime, respected employee” who was “loved by his coworkers.”
“He was a friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional,” the department said.