CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The funeral service for Officer Andrew Lansing, a local corrections officer who tragically lost his life on Christmas Day, was held Friday afternoon at the Chillicothe High School gymnasium.
Officer Lansing died following what officials have described as an attack by an inmate at the Ross Correctional Institution (RCI) in Chillicothe.
The inmate, 27-year-old Rashawn L. Cannon, was serving time for felonious assault and weapons charges at RCI. His projected release date had been August 5, 2030.
Background on Previous Incident
According to records, an earlier incident involving Cannon occurred on April 1, 2024. Cannon had demanded early access to a phone, citing a family issue. Officer Lansing denied the request and instructed Cannon to wait until his scheduled recreation period. Later that evening, Cannon reportedly became aggressive, shouting obscenities and threats, including, “F— you, I’ll kill you.”
Despite several warnings from Officer Lansing to de-escalate, Cannon continued his disruptive behavior. Lansing called for assistance and restrained Cannon without further incident.
Following the altercation, the Rules Infraction Board (RIB) reviewed Lansing’s conduct report and found Cannon guilty of disobedience and disrespect towards staff, resulting in a 30-day phone restriction.
Christmas Day Tragedy
On December 25, 2024, Officer Lansing was fatally assaulted at RCI. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction confirmed his death as the result of “an inmate assault” that morning. The institution is currently under restricted movement while the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates the incident.
Community Support
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Officer Lansing’s family. To date, nearly $27,000 has been raised. Those wishing to contribute can donate through the campaign, titled Help Our Fallen Officer and Hero Andrew Lansing’s Family.
Calls for Reform
Lansing’s death has sparked widespread public outrage, with growing demands for systemic reform within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Both corrections officers and family members of inmates have called for comprehensive changes to address safety and staffing issues within the state’s prison system.
Inmate Relocation and Charges
Following the attack, Rashawn L. Cannon was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. He now faces charges in connection with Officer Lansing’s death.
