Through his role as a school resource officer, Deputy Brian Dial is among the local law enforcement officers who are helping keep Whitfield County schools safe.
His outstanding work at Westside Middle School and now at Northwest Whitfield High School earned him a nomination as Whitfield County Employee of the Month for August.
“I feel like Deputy Dial has proven to be a great asset to the county, especially this year,” said Captain Paul Woods, who nominated Deputy Dial for the monthly honor.
After being hit by a truck while directing traffic at Westside last year, Deputy Dial has bounced back from “a lot of pain and suffering,” Capt. Woods said, “but was still able to be a vital part of the sheriff’s office by helping Amy Phillips in her high-pace position.”
Deputy Dial started back to full duty in early August as the SRO at Northwest Whitfield. “Brian, thank you for your dedication,” Capt. Woods said.
To help local residents learn more about his personality, Deputy Dial filled out the following fun questionnaire.
Name: Michael Brian Dial
Job title: School Resource Officer at Northwest Whitfield High School
Time with the county: 15½ years
Where I went to high school: Southeast Whitfield
My role as a county employee: The duties of a school resource officer and deputy
What keeps my job interesting: The different types of people I get to meet every day
What gives me a sense of accomplishment on the job: Knowing that I can help others
The most important thing I’ve done on the job: Finding a missing elderly female lying in a ditch on a cold night and making her safe until EMS arrived.
Where I grew up: Dalton
Spouse and children: Wendy, Gavyn and Kymber
After work, I enjoy: Spending time with my family.
Community activities: School sporting events
Hobbies: Bass fishing and the great outdoors
Favorite TV show: “How I Met Your Mother”
Favorite movie: “Face Off”
Favorite actor/actress: Nicolas Cage
Favorite sport/sport team: College football / Georgia Bulldogs
Favorite meal: Barbecue
Favorite singer: Eric Church
Favorite Whitfield County restaurant: Oakwood Café
Favorite Whitfield County event: Christmas Dinner
You can pick four people to have dinner with (anyone from any time in history) – who are your four people and why? Anthony Lispenard Bleecker for his role in starting the New York Stock Exchange, Bill Dance, Mike Iaconelli, Kevin VanDam to teach me better ways to bass fish.
I’m most proud of: That I am able to wake up every day and enjoy.
Cats or dogs? Waffles the cat / Sweetie the dog
Favorite car? Toyota 4runner
Host or be hosted? Be hosted
Early riser or sleep-in? Early riser
Favorite vacation ever: Any lake
Best teacher I ever had and why: My mother, Judith Dial. She taught me never to give up on anything that you do.
Pet peeve: Complainers
If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: Live life to the fullest.
Who has had the most impact on my life: Judith Dial, my mother
What’s left on my bucket list: Fishing trip in Alaska, cruises, more bass fishing
If I could have been in any profession of my choosing, I would have been a: Stock broker.
If I could have two wishes, they would be: First, know what I know now when I was 18. Second, place all my money into stocks.
You’d be surprised to learn that I: Have an associate’s degree in computer networking and am working on a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I also worked on the FBI’s Child Safe Task Force.
The best advice I ever got: Never give up.