Corrections Officer Kenneth Bettis

Cleveland Cunningham

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ATMORE, Alabama — A Bay Minette man is now facing murder charges after a corrections officer who was assaulted and stabbed Sept. 1 at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore has reportedly died from his injuries.

Corrections Officer Kenneth Bettis, 44, of Monroeville succumbed to his injuries at 5:35 p.m. on Friday at the University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile, according to a release issued by the Alabama Department of Corrections. Family members were by Bettis’ side at the time of his death.

“On behalf of the Alabama Department of Corrections, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Bettis’ family during this tragic loss, said Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “Officer Bettis was known among his colleagues as a firm, but fair corrections officer, and was highly respected for his work ethic and dedicated service to his profession.”

Dunn said the Department of Corrections will prosecute the offender responsible for the officer’s death to the fullest extent of the law.

Cleveland Cunningham was charged with attempted murder after he assaulted and stabbed the officer on Sept. 1. Prison officials report Cunningham stabbed Bettis in retaliation for being denied an extra tray of food in the facility’s dining hall during the noon meal.

The charges against Cunningham will be upgraded to murder.

According to the Baldwin County Corrections Facility website, Cleve Cunningham III, 20, of Bay Minette, was arrested on first degree robbery and assault charges with the Bay Minette and Loxley police departments in January of 2012.

According to the Alabama Department of Corrections Facility website, Cunningham was convicted in March of 2013 on three counts of first degree robbery, one count of first degree assault and one count of second degree assault. He was released (presumably transferred) from the Baldwin County Jail facility in April of 2013. He was serving a 20-year sentence.

Bettis had served as a corrections officer at Holman since 2009. In addition, the officer was a military veteran and had served on active duty in Iraq with the Alabama Army National Guard. Bettis’ military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Kenneth Bettis during this very difficult time,” said Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. “Officer Bettis was a dedicated civil servant taking on the difficult role of corrections officer. I want to thank Officer Bettis and his family for his years of service to the people of Alabama, through his work at Holman Correctional Facility and his time serving in the Alabama Army National Guard.”

Bettis is survived by his wife and three children.

Members of ADOC’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team and chaplains are assisting the family and providing counseling support to the correctional staff at Holman.