The inmate was transferred to Southern Ohio Correctional Facility while the incident is under investigation.
In Chillicothe, Ohio, the inmate who was involved in the assault that resulted in the death of a correction officer at Ross Correctional Institution on Christmas has been identified by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The inmate, Rashawn Cannon, was serving time for felonious assault and weapon under disability charges related to a September 2023 incident, as stated on the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s website. Cannon was expected to be released on August 5, 2030.
According to the ODRC, correction officer Andrew Lansing passed away “following an inmate assault” at the prison in Chillicothe. The unfortunate incident occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Christmas morning. Additional details on the circumstances that led to the assault have not been disclosed by the department.
“The loss of a staff person is difficult, but to lose a family member on Christmas Day at the hands of someone in our custody is a tragedy beyond comprehension,” department director Annette Chambers-Smith said in a statement posted on the department’s Facebook page.
“Instead of going home after his shift to be with his family on this holiday, Officer Lansing made the ultimate sacrifice, and our agency will never be the same,” Chambers-Smith said.
ODRC said the prison was said to be “operating under restricted movement” and the Ohio State Highway Patrol was investigating. Cannon was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, according to the department.
Lansing was described as “a longtime, well-respected employee” at the prison who “was loved by his colleagues.”
His career started at the Marion Correctional Institution in 1985. He was later hired at the Ross Correctional Institution in 1994 and again in 2013 after a break in service.
“He was a friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional,” the department said.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Thursday that flags at the Ohio Statehouse and public buildings in Ross County be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of his funeral.
