A beloved corrections officer was killed in an attack at an Ohio prison on Christmas Day, officials said.
According to WBNS-TVCorrectional officer Andrew Lansing was attacked around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Ross Correctional Facility in Chillicothe, about 63 miles south of Columbus.
“Officer Lansing was beloved by his colleagues and was known for being a great support of RCI employees.”
Lansing, 62, reportedly died “as a result of an assault on an inmate.” The victim's brother said Lansing was hit severely in the face and head, but there were no visible defensive wounds, police said.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the alleged assailant as 27-year-old Lashawn Cannon. Cannon has been incarcerated since September 2023 on charges of serious assault and possession of a weapon while under disability, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. record. Cannon's expected release date was listed as August 5, 2030. Since the attack, Cannon has been transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.
Following the deadly attack, Ross Correctional Facility restricted inmate movement. The Ohio State Highway Patrol began an investigation.
Annette Chambers Smith, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said: statement: “We are saddened to announce the tragic death of correctional officer Andrew Lansing following an inmate assault that occurred this morning at Ross Correctional Facility.”
“Officer Lansing was a long-time and well-respected employee of Ross, and his untimely death on Christmas Day is heartbreaking for his family, the entire Ross Correctional Facility family, and our entire department.” Chambers Mr. Smith continued. “Officer Lansing was well-loved by his colleagues and was known to be extremely supportive of RCI officers. He was a friendly and outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always professional. It was.”
Chambers-Smith described Lansing's death as “a tragedy beyond comprehension.”
“Officer Lansing made the ultimate sacrifice instead of coming home from work to spend time with his family this holiday. Our agency will never be the same,” Chambers-Smith added.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (Republican) ordered All flags will be flown at half-mast until sunset on the day of Lansing's funeral in his honor.
Mike Lansing, the slain police officer's brother and a former correctional officer, said Andrew Lansing knew his job was dangerous, but he needed to provide for his family.
Mike Lansing added columbus contingent“He was taken out of there twice for fentanyl exposure. They had to give him Narcan once. I kept telling him he had to get out, but… , like I said, he put in so much time. It's hard to walk away from something like that and start over at our age. ”
His brother also said of Andrew Lansing, “He was a wonderful man who would do anything for anyone.”
Lansing reportedly served as a correctional officer for nearly 25 years and served in the U.S. Army from October 1981 to April 1992. He is survived by his wife, Elmond Lansing, and two children.
You can view the video report here About the Lansing murders.
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