A Birmingham police officer killed his wife and then himself

 

Rodney Jerome Wilson (Special)

IRONDALE, Alabama  -- A Birmingham police officer killed his wife and then himself early this morning in Irondale.

Authorities identified the officer as Rodney Jerome Wilson. His wife was Uteva Monique Wilson.

The 41-year-old detective apparently shot his 23-year-old wife and then got on his police radio and warned he was about to take his own life.

He asked for paramedics and a supervisor to come to the scene, and then said, "I won't be here when you get here," authorities said. The Birmingham dispatcher called Irondale police. Officers from both agencies responded to the scene.

Wilson used his duty weapon in the murder-suicide.

The woman's two small children were home at the time but not injured.

Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Bill Yates confirmed the deaths happened about 3:17 a.m. inside the couple's bedroom at Sharpsburg Manor Apartments on Sharpsburg Circle.

Yates referred other questions to police.

Efforts to reach Birmingham police officials were unsuccessful.

Irondale police are making a formal statement at Irondale City Hall this morning.