Family, friends remember Deputy Alex Scott as generous, kind
Alex Scott, a former deputy for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, died Thursday, March 20 from complications of Type 1 diabetes. He was 40 years old.
Alex retired late last year after 17 years as a deputy, having worked at the jail and at the courthouse. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 11 years old, Alex was in and out of the hospital throughout his life. The autoimmune disease mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells, and Alex was diagnosed with decreased kidney function and began dialysis treatment in recent years.
Alex’s brother, Joshua Scott, said the medical retirement was heartbreaking for Alex.
“He wanted to be at the courthouse,” Joshua said. “But everybody would tell him you need to slow down. You need to slow down. He was dedicated to the job.”
Alex had been active in ROTC at Destrehan High School and wanted to join the military, but his health issues put him on a different path. Joshua said he was surprised when he found out that Alex had joined the sheriff’s office.
“Him being so nice, I never understood how he would be a good police officer,” Joshua said. “In hindsight, I see that the sheriff and police deputies are really there to help us. And that’s the type of person Alex really was. He was the type of person to give anybody a helping hand if he could.”
Joshua described Alex as a child of St. Charles Parish. Alex attended St. Rose Elementary, Harry Hurst Middle School and Destrehan High School. Joining the sheriff’s office was a way to give back to the community that cherished him.
“St. Charles Parish was his home, where he was known, where he was comfortable,” Joshua said.
Joshua, who is two years younger than Alex, said he grew up being known as “Alex’s little brother.” Joshua didn’t mind.
“It just shows how strong of a personality he had – he left an impression” Joshua said. “He would talk to anybody. He wasn’t judgmental. That was just him. That’s why everybody liked him. Nobody can say a bad thing about him.”
Joshua said that Alex was goofy, always trying to make people laugh. He was kind. He loved to travel – he went to Mexico and Europe with his aunt.
Friends said Alex loved learning new things. He loved history and museums. He collected different types of weapons, and he loved paintball. He was a people person, who could make conversation with anyone.
But most of all, Alex loved being around his family, both the one he was born into and the one he made. His mom was his world, and Alex enjoyed family get-togethers where he would visit with uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. His parents have long ties to the St. Rose and New Sarpy communities. His parents were together until his father’s death in 2021.
Alex’s close friends from ROTC – Cassie Richard, Matthew Murray and Ronnie Springer – also became family.
Ronnie Springer said he considered Alex his brother, and his kids knew him as “Uncle Alex.”
“You know, when we go on vacations, he’s there with us,” Ronnie said. “When Matthew goes on a cruise, Alex would go with them.”
After his home was damaged by Hurricane Ida, Alex moved in with Ronnie and his family. Alex was the type of person to make sure everyone else ate before he got a plate, Ronnie said.
“He was actually the one, more often than not, making lunches so that everybody, you know, got fed,” Ronnie said. “While Jackie, my wife, ran around getting things done, [Alex] always made sure the dogs got fed, and the toddler and granny got fed.”
Alex would go above and beyond to help people out, Ronnie said. Even people he didn’t know. If he met someone at the courthouse who was struggling, he would go out and buy groceries and diapers to help. He would pass out candy to kids he saw at the courthouse. He would be the person to stop and help a stranger change a tire.
“He was just really generous to the point that he exhausted himself, but he wouldn’t stop,” Ronnie said.
Ronnie’s wife, Jacqueline Springer, said she is collecting photos of Alex for his mother and for his friend, Jennifer Dedic, and Jennifer’s daughter, Laila.
“I have not found a picture of him where he wasn’t smiling,” Jacqueline said. “I think the biggest legacy we could leave for [Alex] is to continue to teach every child we come across to see people the way that Alex saw people.”
Funeral services for Alex will be held Friday, April 4 at Fifth African Baptist Church in St. Rose. The viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m.
