NEW SPRINGFIELD — Russell Beatty Jr., 62, who served as Poland police chief since 1992 and began working for the police department full time in 1984, died near his home Saturday evening.

Ray Fellows, Springfield Township police chief, said he cannot discuss most details of the investigation into Beatty’s death, but the incident involved his department being called to a wooded lot across the street from Beatty’s home on Beard Road on Saturday evening.

The Springfield Township Police Department is investigating Beatty’s death, along with the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office. A spokesperson for the coroner’s office said Monday afternoon she could not provide any information on the case because “Everything is pending.”

A spokesperson for Poland Mayor Tim Sicafuse said Sicafuse had no comment on the matter.

Poland patrolman Don Lambert said the chief “was respected and admired” and “led the police department for years in a very professional manner.”

The village of Poland Facebook page carried a message Sunday stating that the village “was saddened to learn of the loss of Chief Russ Beatty. Chief Beatty served the Village with pride and integrity for decades. He was an institution unto himself, and the entire Poland community will miss his presence. Our deepest condolences go out to the Beatty family.”