Cullman County deputy, dispatcher dead in Orange Beach murder-suicide

A Cullman County deputy shot and killed a dispatcher and then turned the gun on himself while the two were vacationing in Orange Beach, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed.

Orange Beach police made the initial announcement, saying a 911 call sent officers to the 24000 block of Perdido Beach Boulevard about 2:45 a.m. Thursday. Officers located two deceased victims, identifying them as 23-year-old Alexis “Lexi” White, and Kenneth Booth Jr., age unknown, both of the Cullman area.

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post the two had been in a dating relationship and an argument between the two escalated to the point Booth drew a weapon and killed White before fatally shooting himself.

“Our family here at the Sheriff’s Office is devastated,” said Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry. “We are all in shock and saddened to our very core. Our hearts go out to the families of all those involved. I would ask that everyone join me in praying for the families, and for everyone here at the Sheriff’s Office.”

Gentry said White had been with the sheriff’s office since she was 16 years old and was a charter member of the CCSO Youth Leadership Academy, continuing to support the academy in the years since as a participant or coach.

“There are not enough words to express what she and her family mean to me,” Gentry said. “I am literally heartbroken. I feel like Lexi is one of my own kids.”

Orange Beach Lt. Trent Johnson said the case remains under investigation.