ST. GEORGE – Jeff Dial, the communications manager for the Washington County dispatch center, passed Tuesday morning.
Marc Mortensen, assistant to the city manager of St. George, announced Dial’s passing due to undisclosed medical complications.
Dial had been on the scene of the I-15 standoff Monday night coordinating communication efforts when he began complaining of pain, Mortensen said. Dial was taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center and treated. He passed away Tuesday morning.
St. George Police Chief Marlon Stratton, a longtime friend of Dial’s, said he had served 21 years in the dispatch center and worked his way through the ranks to become the communications manager. He also served as a volunteer fire fighter for Santa Clara.
The dispatch center handles calls for fire, medical and police, Stratton said, and called Dial’s work “indispensable”
“We all relied heavily on Jeff.”
Stratton said he had known Dial for over 30 years, back when both of them were emergency medical technicians for what was then the Washington County ambulance service.
“Jeff is going to be deeply missed,” Stratton said. “He was a great friend and a great person.”
Funeral arrangements for Dial are being handled through Metcalf Mortuary. A viewing will be held 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday night, Feb. 10, at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Boulevard in St. George. An additional viewing and funeral service will be held at the St. George LDS Institute of Religion building at 943 E 400 S, St. George, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11.
“We’re expecting a very large turnout,” Stratton stated, and related that people throughout the Utah and neighboring states are expected to attend.
“When you think of 911, you think of Jeff Dial,” Stratton said.
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