New Orleans police are searching for the person or group involved in the shooting death of Officer James Bennett, Jr. on Sunday.

Officials say that Bennett, an officer with more than 15 years of experience in law enforcement, was working with the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) when he was fatally shot Sunday morning in his cruiser. The shooting occurred while he was patrolling the construction site of the Guste Public Housing Development in Central City.

After arriving to the scene, officers said that Bennett's car rolled forward and struck a curb.

According to a job description posted on hano.org, a HANO officer "investigates complaints, maintains order, aids individuals, and identifies criminal offenders." In addition, the armed officers must perform "unplanned physical tasks which include the restraining of violent individuals, running, climbing fences and responding to EMS and rescue emergencies," reads the summary.

Before taking a full time position with HANO, Bennett served as "as former member of the JPSO [Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office] Reserve Division from April 2000 until March of 2006," the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "He went full-time in the Second District Patrol Division for a short time, returning back into the Reserves in October 2006. In May of 2013, Sergeant James Bennett, Jr. left the JPSO to go full-time with HANO [Housing Authority of New Orleans]."

On Tuesday, Crimestoppers announced that anyone with information leading to an arrest in the case will receive a $5,000 reward, reports WWL-TV.

"The death of this HANO police officer is an unspeakable tragedy, and a vile and cowardly act," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in a statement about Bennett, the first HANO officer to be killed in the line of duty.

"Tragedies that involve our men and women in uniform affect our entire city and touch every member of our law enforcement community. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts and prayers are with the officer's friends and family and with the entire HANO family during this very difficult time," according to the statement.