COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Senate took a moment of solemn reflection on January 28, 2025, to honor the life and sacrifice of fallen corrections officer Andrew Lansing, who was murdered by a violent inmate on Christmas morning. The Senate passed S.R. 12, a resolution recognizing Lansing’s unwavering commitment to duty and service, but for many, words are no longer enough.

Lansing, a 24-year veteran of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, was killed inside Ross Correctional Institution by an inmate who had previously threatened him. The tragedy has sparked criticism directed at the state’s prison system, with many calling for sweeping reforms and demanding accountability from ODRC leadership.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Shane Wilkin, hailed Lansing as a dedicated public servant, a U.S. Army veteran, and a respected member of his community. It described his deep commitment to his job, his family, and his fellow officers, noting his service on the Special Response Team and his involvement with local organizations such as the Free and Accepted Masons and the Pike County Shrine Club.

But while lawmakers honored Lansing’s legacy, concerns continue to mount over the conditions that led to his death. Calls for a full-scale overhaul of Ohio’s prison system have grown louder, with demands for the resignation of ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith persisting. Critics argue Lansing’s death was preventable and point to long-standing issues such as understaffing, unchecked inmate violence, and a failure of leadership that have put corrections officers in danger.

Lansing leaves behind his wife and children. While the Senate’s resolution ensures his sacrifice will not be forgotten, those demanding change insist that meaningful action is needed to prevent further tragedies.

With pressure mounting, the question remains: Will Ohio’s leaders take action to protect the brave men and women who serve in the state’s correctional system? Or will Lansing’s death become yet another tragic consequence of a broken system?

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