CHILLICOTHE, OH – Ross Correctional Institution (RCI) has posthumously named Officer Andrew Lansing as its Officer of the Year, honoring his service and sacrifice after he was tragically killed in the line of duty on Christmas Day.
In Lansing’s memory, last year’s Officer of the Year, Officer George Horsley, will represent RCI and compete for the Ohio Officer of the Year award. Horsley has humbly accepted the opportunity to attend the interview process, which will take place this Wednesday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at the Corrections Training Academy (CTA). Traditionally, the previous year’s recipient assists and mentors the newly nominated officer in preparing for the state competition.
RCI also announced Allan Szoke, Warden’s Administrative Assistant, as Employee of the Year. Szoke will represent the institution alongside Horsley during the statewide recognition process. The Employee Appreciation Week at RCI will be observed from May 5 through May 9, with events including a retiree breakfast, memorial service, and a roll call dedication to Lansing on May 5.
Lansing was a dedicated corrections officer at Ross Correctional Institution, where he served in multiple capacities, including as a member of the Special Response Team (SRT). His life was tragically taken when 27-year-old inmate Rashawn Cannon fatally attacked him inside a small shack in the prison yard. According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), Lansing suffered severe head trauma and a brain bleed from the assault. Cannon, who was serving an eight-year sentence for felonious assault and illegal firearm possession, was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility following the incident.
The recognition of Lansing’s service and sacrifice underscores the dangers corrections officers face daily while maintaining order and security. The upcoming memorial and awards serve as a reminder of his dedication and the impact he had on his colleagues and community.
