Investigation continues into police chief death

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are continuing an investigation into the apparent suicide of a police chief in the central Illinois city of Petersburg.

An officer was called to Danny Martin's home Sunday afternoon in response to a disturbance. Menard County State's Attorney Kenneth Baumgarten says while the officer was there, Martin went into another room and the officer heard a gun shot.

Authorities won't elaborate on what prompted the call. Petersburg is about 25 north of Springfield.

Baumgarten says Martin is divorced and has three children. He says several people were at the home at the time but he wouldn't say how many or who they were.

Martin was a 12-year veteran of the police department and had been chief 19 months.

Baumgarten says Martin served with "distinction."