Keith Cash (photo courtesy Indiana University)

The chief of police at Indiana University has died.

A university spokesman confirmed to our newsgathering partners at RTV6 that 51-year-old Keith Cash died of natural causes believed to be heart-related at a Bloomington Hospital Wednesday night.  Cash joined the IU Police Department in 1984 and became chief in October 2010.

IU President Michael McRobbie tells RTV6 Cash served the university with "enormous distinction and honor for nearly three decades."  In 2011, Cash was honored by the IU student media with the Trevor R. Brown Award which is given to an IU staff member who respects and supports the First Amendement and student media.

Cash is survived by his mother Judy and brother and sister-in-law.  Deputy Chief Laury Flint with serve as acting chief until a permanent successor can be determined.