A Correctional Officer with the Nevada Department of Corrections has died as a result of an injury he suffered during a struggle with an inmate at the High Desert State Prison.

Tracy Hardin, a five-year veteran of the corrections department, died of a heart attack on January 20 after a blood clot in his ankle broke free and triggered the attack. The information was reported by the Officer Down Memorial Page, www.odmp.org, and an official at the prison confirmed the account today, Tues. Jan. 31.

Hardin was speaking to an inmate about disciplinary issues when the inmate assaulted him, causing an ankle injury on Dec. 23, 2011.

On January 20, Officer Hardin was leaving the prison at the end of his shift when he suddenly pulled into a pull-off outside the employee parking lot. Officers immediately went to check on him, discovered he was not breathing and initiated CPR. They were unable to revive him.

It was determined the heart attack was caused by a blood clot that broke free in the injured ankle.