IU community mourns passing of Police Chief Keith Cash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2013

BLOOMINGTON, IND. -- The entire Indiana University Bloomington community is deeply saddened and shocked by the unexpected death of IU Police Chief Keith Cash, who passed away at approximately 6:20 p.m. today at Bloomington Hospital of natural causes.

Cash, a 29-year veteran of the IU Police Department, was named chief in October 2010 after serving as an operations captain on the force for nine years. During his time as chief, Cash, 50, oversaw a police force of approximately 100 officers and staff responsible for the public safety of IU's flagship campus.

"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. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family members. He will be greatly missed, and we all grieve at the loss of such a wonderful man."

Cash, a native of Jeffersonville, Ind., earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from IU Bloomington and in 2004 graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. Cash was honored in 2011 by IU student media with the Trevor R. Brown Award, given annually to the IU Bloomington staff member who demonstrated respect and support for the First Amendment and student media.

Cash also was an instructor at the IU Police Academy and a guest lecturer in criminal justice and other classes at IU Bloomington. He served on the board of the Indiana Association of Indiana Chiefs of Police and was a member of the 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. Our hearts go out to his family and friends."

IU Executive Vice President for University Regional Affairs, Planning and Policy John Applegate added, "Keith had a deep understanding of the IU Bloomington campus and community, as well as an appreciation of the unique challenges of ensuring the safety of the more than 40,000 students who call IU Bloomington home each year."

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

Deputy Chief Laury Flint, who will serve as acting police chief until a permanent successor is named, called Cash "the type of leader you can't replace and a true mentor to me and other members of the force."

"Keith was as fine an officer as I have had the honor to work with during my more than 30 years with the IU Police Department," said Jerry Minger, who oversees the police forces on all IU campuses in his role as public safety director. "I have lost a dear friend, and the IU community has lost one of its best advocates and protectors. The entire IU Police family mourns the loss of Keith Cash."