BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The chief of the IU Bloomington Police Department died suddenly Wednesday night, a university spokesman said.

Chief Keith Cash, 50, died at the hospital of natural causes believed to be related to his heart, said IU spokesman Mark Land.

Cash, a native of Jeffersonville, Ind.,  joined the department in 1984 and became chief in October 2010.

"Keith served Indiana University with enormous distinction and honor for nearly three decades culminating in a highly successful, and all too short, tenure as chief," IU President Michael A. McRobbie said. "Keith's love for this university, and the Bloomington campus in particular, was apparent to all who knew him."

Cash earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice at IU. He graduated from the FBI National Academy, was an instructor at the IU Police Academy, a guest lecturer in IU classes, a board member for the Indiana police chiefs' association and a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police.

"Keith was ideally suited for the role of police chief of one of the largest college campuses in the United States," said Mark Bruhn, associate vice president for public safety and institutional assurance. "Keith was admired and respected by the entire police force and, on a personal note, I will be forever grateful for his wise counsel."

IU student media honored Cash in 2011 with the Trevor R. Brown award, which is given annually to an IU staff member who respects and supports the First Amendment and student media.

Deputy Chief Laury Flint will serve as acting police chief until a permanent successor is named.

Cash is survived by his mother, Judy Cash; father, Tom Cash; brother Mike Cash; and brother and sister-in-law Steve and Nancy Cash. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Watch RTV6 and refresh this page for updates.