CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – The family of Ross County Corrections Officer Andrew Lansing is calling on Ohio officials to overhaul the state’s prison system following his tragic death, citing staffing shortages, faulty alarm systems, and unsafe policies as major failures that contributed to the incident.
In a statement released by attorneys Benson & Sesser, Lansing’s family described him as a devoted husband, father, brother, and public servant who dedicated his life to protecting others.
“Andy’s death has left a void in the lives of many, but to his wife, children, and siblings, this is a chasm they will be forced to stare into each and every day, for the rest of their lives,” the statement read. “Christmas morning for Andy’s family is forever changed. A day that is supposed to be filled with joy will forever be tainted with the worst loss imaginable.”
A Life of Service
Lansing was a veteran and dedicated officer, known for his unwavering commitment to helping others. His family and colleagues recalled his selflessness—whether it was donating his paid time off to fellow officers in need or helping neighbors facing financial hardship.
“He was someone who always asked, ‘How are you doing?’ and ‘What’s new in your life?’” the statement continued. “What separated Andy from others, though, is that he truly cared about the answer.”
Allegations of State Negligence
The Lansing family and their attorneys argue that Ohio’s failure to maintain a safe working environment directly contributed to the officer’s death. The statement details several long-standing issues that corrections officers had repeatedly warned the state about, including:
- Severe staffing shortages, leaving officers without necessary backup while working inside prisons filled with violent offenders.
- Faulty alarm systems, which failed to work on Christmas morning, prolonging the attack on Lansing.
- Neglected security policies, including the failure to enforce mandatory inmate escorts, allowing convicted violent offenders to move freely without supervision.
“These issues, along with many others, have been well-known and repeatedly shared with the State by countless officers out of fear for their lives, yet the State refuses to correct them,” the statement read. “The State’s knowledge that attacks on officers are certain to occur, and its intentional refusal to protect them with that knowledge, makes the State just as responsible for them.”
A Call for Reform
Lansing’s family is now demanding immediate action to prevent further officer deaths, urging state officials to acknowledge their failures and implement meaningful reforms.
“No family should ever have to fear for the safety of their loved one every time they clock into work, not knowing if they will see them again or not,” the statement concluded. “The State needs to admit it failed Andy and take immediate action to prevent more officer deaths. It’s that simple.”
Ohio prison officials have yet to publicly respond to the statement.
Lansing’s family, along with advocacy groups, plan to push for legislative reforms to ensure no other corrections officer faces the same preventable dangers.