Holly MatkinConcord, NH – New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) Corrections Officer Lawrence Christopher Prather died in the line of duty on Jan. 25 after suffering a pulmonary embolism during his shift at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men.
The 42-year-old corrections officer, who generally worked alone, had responded to multiple overdose incidents inside the facility in the days prior to his death, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Two of those incidents occurred within a five-day window.
Both inmates became physically violent with corrections officers and emergency medical personnel during the overdose events, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Corrections Officer Prather was working in the facility’s North End Housing Unit on Jan. 25 when he suffered a pulmonary embolism.
Nursing staff and fellow corrections officers immediately initiated lifesaving efforts before Corrections Officer Prather was rushed to Concord Hospital, but he did not survive, the Concord Patch reported.
NHDOC Commissioner Helen Hanks said the fallen corrections officer was a valued member of the agency.
“Officer Prather’s passion, kindness, and dedication to his career with the NH Department of Corrections was admirable,” Commissioner Hanks said, according to the Concord Patch. “He was a friendly, positive, and loyal officer who is already greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Officer Prather’s family and those closest to him during this incredibly difficult time.”
Corrections Officer Prather joined the NHDOC in 2017 and was a graduate of the New Hampshire Corrections Academy’s 104th class.
He received the Team Commendation Award in April of 2018 for his actions during a team response to a disturbance at the prison, the Concord Patch reported.
The following year, Corrections Officer Prather was assigned to the facility’s Division of Rehabilitative Services, where he worked with inmates who were re-entering the community.
He leaves behind his daughters, Sarina and Cyan, as well as his brother and his father, according to his obituary.
A fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $6,800 so far.
🙏🏻 New Hampshire Department of Corrections mourning the loss of Corrections Officer Lawrence Prather who suffered a medical emergency while on duty this morning. He later died at a hospital. https://t.co/89lLJ658Gn pic.twitter.com/IbaGWLJkRD
— Mike Saccone (@mikesacconetv) January 26, 2023
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Corrections Officer Lawrence Christopher Prather
New Hampshire Department of Corrections, New Hampshire
EOW: Wednesday, January 25, 2023#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/810dxVcB1A
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) April 25, 2023
This morning Sen. Howard Pearl honored New Hampshire Corrections officer, Lawrence Prather who passed away suddenly in late January. pic.twitter.com/LMEh70QQBS
— The NH Senate (@TheNHSenate) February 9, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New Hampshire Department of Corrections Corrections Officer Lawrence Christopher Prather, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
