By Corrections1 Staff
STILLWATER, Minn. — A corrections officer was killed after being attacked by an inmate at a Minnesota state prison.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections said Officer Joseph Gomm was attacked Wednesday afternoon at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater, Fox News reported. Gomm was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“Joseph gave the ultimate sacrifice while working to protect the citizens of Minnesota,” Sarah Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for the DOC, said.
Gomm was a 16-year veteran at the prison. The inmate, who hasn’t been identified, was serving time for a homicide conviction.
Officials said the prison and other surrounding correctional facilities have been placed on lockdown until they determine it was an isolated incident.
Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Tom Roy said the inmate used a weapon in the assault but declined to describe it, according to Minnesota Public Radio.
“The corrections family is reeling from this incident,” Roy said. “We are not accustomed to losing staff. Officer Gomm was a fine man doing honorable work.”
Additional details about the attack were not immediately released.