A British teenager and her American boyfriend are suspected of having shot dead a policeman before killing themselves, police in Florida have said.

Alex Hollinghurst, 17, and Brandon Goode, 18, were both found dead on Saturday having apparently taken their own lives, according to the Orange County sheriff's office. Their bodies were discovered after a 31-year-old police officer, Robert German, was shot dead nearby by a man and a woman.

Sheriff Jerry Demings said that German stopped the pair in the early hours of the morning and called for backup. When colleagues arrived, they found German, who had been shot, and was pronounced dead soon afterwards.

Both Goode and Hollinghurst were later found dead in brush, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The incident happened in the town of Windermere, near Orlando. In a statement on its website, the police department paid tribute to German: "The entire law enforcement community and the town of Windermere are mourning the loss of Officer Robert German. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with Officer German's family during this difficult time. We ask that you give the Windermere Police Department, our officers and the family time to get through this tragedy."

The mayor, Gary Bruhn, asked residents of the small town to display blue ribbons on their homes for the next month in mourning.

"While we honour Officer German, it is our hope that this display of respect will also send a strong message of support to the entire town of Windermere Police Department as they resume their official duties early next week. While this tragedy has shocked all of us, we are privileged to live in a great town that will never forget the sacrifice of Officer German and his fellow law enforcement officers," he said.