Last night, I missed a phone call from Alabama… the voicemail was hard to understand, but I knew that a tragedy had happened in my family and that they needed to get in touch with my family. We called and got ahold of Mom and Dad. My Uncle TJ is dead. I don’t know why I was the first person who was called or contacted about this. Maybe he had the address book open to my name.. I don’t know. But it’s a tough weekend. Here’s as much as is available on it right now.

Atmore Dentist Found Dead From Gunshot Wound

November 22, 2009

The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of Atmore dentist who was found dead from a gunshot wound in his home Saturday.

Dr. Thomas Alvin Rice, Jr., 54, was discovered dead at his residence on Highway 31 in Nokomis late Saturday afternoon. Rice died from a gunshot wound, according to Escambia County (Ala.) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. Officials are not currently saying if foul play is suspected in Rice’s death; they are awaiting autopsy results from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile.

His death is still under investigation by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department

Dr. Rice was a 1982 graduate of the University of Alabama. He has held an active dental license in Alabama since June of 1982, and has practiced dentistry at 111 East Ridgely Street in Atmore for a number of years.