CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A corrections officer suffered fatal injuries following an attack by an inmate at a prison in Ohio on Christmas morning, authorities reported on Wednesday.

According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Officer Andrew Lansing passed away as a result of the assault that took place at Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe.

Department director Annette Chambers-Smith expressed deep sorrow in a statement shared on the agency’s social media, stating, “The loss of a staff person is difficult, but to lose a family member on Christmas Day at the hands of someone in our custody is a tragedy beyond comprehension.”

Chambers-Smith added that instead of returning home to celebrate the holiday with his loved ones, Officer Lansing made “the ultimate sacrifice,” leaving a lasting impact on the agency.

Details surrounding the incident, including information about the inmate involved, have not been disclosed. The prison is currently running on “restricted movement,” and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the matter.

The department confirmed that the inmate suspect has been relocated to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.

Lansing was remembered as a “longtime, well-respected employee” at the facility and was beloved by his peers. “He was a friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional,” the department remarked.