Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio
End of Watch Tuesday, July 24, 1973
Add to My HeroesArthur Sprouse
Correctional Officer Arthur Sprouse was shot and killed by an inmate who was able to obtain a firearm at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville.
The inmate then held three guards hostage for more than an hour. When guards rushed the suspect and subdued him, Officer Gary Underwood was accidentally shot and killed by one of the guards.
A guard who had recently been fired was charged with smuggling the gun to the inmate. The 24-year-old inmate, who was serving a life sentence for a 1970 murder, received another life sentence on August 15th, 1973, when convicted of murdering Officer Sprouse. He will be eligible for parole on July 1, 2029.
Office Sprouse had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for 11 months. He was survived by his wife and five children.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 11 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Correctional Officer Arthur Sprouse of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio and the additional 69 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
July 24, 2022
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