IUPD officer found dead from what appears to be self-inflicted gunshot wound

IU Police Department officer James Lerg, 30,  was discovered dead near his squad car early Saturday morning. The officer is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Other officers found Lerg at about 5:39 a.m. close to his squad car in the Memorial Stadium parking lot, IU Police Chief Keith Cash said in a press release. Lerg was on duty at the time and had not been responding to radio calls.

Lerg had been employed by IUPD for four years.

“This is a very sad day for our department,” Cash said in the press release. “Our hearts and prayers are with the Lerg family. We will all miss him very much.”

The Bloomington Police Department is in charge of conducting an investigation at Cash’s request.

Cash said there was no immediate indication of homicide, but the investigation will continue and IUPD will assist in any way it can.