ROCHESTER — Sheriff’s officials said the death of a Rochester police officer under a criminal investigation appears to be a suicide. 

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson said Thursday Officer Mitchell Jenson was found dead of a single gunshot wound to the head Wednesday at a park pavilion in Rochester. Torgerson said a gun was recovered at the scene.

The sheriff told The Associated Press the criminal investigation initiated Tuesday following a complaint from a community member will continue, despite the officer’s death. Torgerson said the allegations need to be resolved. He declined to characterize the nature of the investigation.

The 49-year-old Jenson was placed on administrative leave Tuesday as the investigation started. Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson said Jenson was an exemplary officer who was with the force for nearly six years.

Jenson was a 1985 Albert Lea High School graduate.