Correctional Lieutenant Eugene Lasco was stabbed to death at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

   A correctional sergeant was being attacked and stabbed multiple times by an inmate in a common area of the facility when Correctional Lieutenant Lasco came to his assistance and was also stabbed before the male inmate was subdued by other officers.

   Both officers were transported to Franciscan Health in Michigan City where Correctional Lieutenant Lasco was pronounced dead. The correctional sergeant was seriously injured and later airlifted to Memorial Hospital of South Bend but survived.

   The 38-year-old inmate is serving a 130-year sentence for a drug-related, triple murder committed in 2002 in Marion County. In May 2022, charges were filed in this incident for murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and possession of a dangerous device while incarcerated.

   He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole for murder and 30 years for attempted murder to be served consecutively to his previous sentence.

   Correctional Lieutenant Lasco, from La Porte, was survived by his wife, Cynthia (née Howard); son, Eugene Lee II; daughter, Cassandra Bell; stepsons, Robert (Krystal) Chambers and Joel Chambers; stepdaughter, Rebecca Chambers; nine grandchildren; brothers, Paul and Mitchell; stepbrothers, Wallace Walker, Mikell Walker and Patrick Walker; and stepsisters, Patricia McEwan and Diana (George) Saba.

Military Service United States Navy

Historical Notes • Correctional Lieutenant Lasco is the first of eight Indiana line of duty deaths in 2021. • He is the 16th line of duty death of the Indiana Department of Correction. • His line of duty death is the 15th that has originated from LaPorte County.