COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) will observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Ross Correctional Officer Andrew Lansing, who was killed in the line of duty on Christmas Day 2024.
December 25, 2024, remains one of the darkest days in DRC history. Officer Lansing was fatally assaulted by an inmate while working at Ross Correctional Institution, a tragedy that sent shockwaves through Ohio’s corrections community and beyond. Officials say the loss forever changed the agency and reinforced the risks faced daily by correctional officers.
As Ohioans gather with family and friends this Christmas season, DRC officials are encouraging the public to pause and reflect on Officer Lansing’s life of service and sacrifice.
Lansing’s death has also led to significant changes aimed at improving officer safety across the state. Following a successful 90-day pilot program at Ross and Trumbull correctional institutions, the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) and DRC reached an agreement allowing correctional officers to carry tasers as a deterrent against violent assaults.
“DRC finally faced up to the reality that staffing and security concerns cannot be downplayed any longer,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe. “The mutual agreement to deploy tasers at Ross and Trumbull represents a significant victory for the safety of our members.”
Bobby Stamper, president of RCI Chapter 7130, said tasers provide officers with an additional option to manage volatile situations and quickly neutralize threats, improving safety for both staff and inmates.
A report completed earlier this month concluded that neither Officer Lansing nor Ross Correctional Institution was at fault in the incident. Investigators determined the suspect acted independently and sought out Lansing. The suspect, identified as Rashawn Cannon, has been indicted in Ross County on two counts of aggravated murder in connection with Lansing’s death, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
In the wake of the pilot program, DRC has requested additional funding in the state budget to expand taser deployment statewide at Ohio’s correctional facilities, citing the need for stronger safety measures and Lansing’s lasting legacy.
