Florida corrections officer dead after punch in Alabama

HARTFORD, Ala. - A Florida corrections officer has died after being punched in the face at a football party at his home in southeast Alabama.

Hartford Police Chief Ben Berry said Timothy Fowler, 52, had held an Alabama football party on Friday and a fight broke out during a card game. Berry said Fowler apparently swung a flashlight at another man, who then punched Fowler's face in the front yard.

Fowler died early Saturday. An autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death. Berry said alcohol may have been a factor and no charges were filed. About six people attended the party in Hartford.

Officials said Fowler, who had 14 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, most recently worked as a sergeant in the Northwest Florida Reception Center in Washington County, a state processing or evaluation center.