The St. Clair County Coroner's office confirmed that Caseyville Police Chief J.D. Roth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound today.
A hearse was seen leaving Roth's home on Avondale Drive in Fairview Heights at about 12:30 p.m.
Roth was put on administrative leave in March and charged last month with two felony counts of official misconduct.
The longtime law enforcement official has been accused of using a Dodge Dakota Ram seized in a drug bust for personal use and then buying it from a dealership where his friend worked shortly after it had purchased the truck from the village.
Under state law, public officials and employees are barred from buying or benefiting from seized property.
Roth’s second official misconduct charge alleges that he used luggage bought with village funds for personal use.
Ann Maher was at the scene and contributed to this report.