Pinckneyville police officer Gary Remer takes his own life

A 29-year-old Pinckneyville police officer was found dead at his home across from the Pinckneyville Community High School on the city's east side Sunday morning.

Officer Gary Remer, 29, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound from his own service weapon.

Because law enforcement departments routinely do not investigate incidents involving their own personnel, the death is under investigation by the Illinois State Police Dist. 13 command at Du Quoin.

The office of Perry County Coroner Paul Searby is also involved in the investigation.

The Pinckneyville Police Department issued a short press release Sunday afternoon, saying the department and the Perry County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call from the residence of a Pinckneyville police officer. It was the first release from the department and did not give the officer's name.

It was the second suicide death in the Pinckneyville area in recent days.

The Perry County Sheriff's Department at 11:33 a.m. Thursday was called to 6885 White Walnut, the Gass Sawmill. Kenneth M. Clarida III was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.