Jail officer was guardsman, good father
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo 
Dale Bryant
JANESVILLE — Dale Bryant was a 20-year veteran of the National Guard, an active member in his community’s civic life and correctional officer who was proud of his work.
On Saturday, Bryant died in a car crash on his way home from work at the Rock County Jail.
Bryant, 44, was traveling west on Highway 14 at about 3 p.m. when his Pontiac Vibe crossed the centerline and collided with a semitrailer truck driven by Randy M. Ulrich, 40, of Fort Atkinson, according to a news release from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
Bryant was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt, the news release said.
Ulrich and his wife, Lori L. Ulrich, 40, were uninjured.
Highway 14 was closed for six hours Saturday while the Wisconsin State Patrol investigated the crash.
His presence definitely will be missed, said Rock County Chief Deputy Barbara Tillman.
“He loved his job,” Tillman said. “He was very dedicated; he was very, very proud to work at the sheriff’s department.”
Bryant was a member of the sheriff’s office honor guard, a group that attends funerals and special ceremonies.
He was president of AFSCME Local 2489, the union that represents secretaries, child support staff, telecommunications staff, correctional officers and other support staff.
He also was active in his community, serving on Evansville’s city council. While on the council, he used his professional expertise as chairman of the public safety committee and as a member of the street department and ordinance committees. He also ran for school board.
And on top of all of that, he was a 20-year veteran of the Wisconsin National Guard.
“You have to remember, too, that he was an excellent dad,” Tillman said.
If Bryant had to come into the office on his day off, he often brought his two children with him, Tillman said.
He also was an active member of his church, St. John’s Lutheran in Evansville, organizing chili fund-raisers and working wherever he was needed.
Services for Bryant will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Evansville High School, and visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of services. Bryant will be buried with full law enforcement and military honors.
reader COMMENTS
