Kendall County Sheriff's Office names Dial senior services deputy

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is taking an extra step to protect seniors from victimization.

The sheriff’s office announced in February the assignment of 20-year veteran Deputy Wayne Dial to the role of senior services deputy within the office’s community policing unit. Dial began working in this capacity Jan. 1.

While there has been no statistical rise in the victimization of seniors of late, the sheriff’s office said, several different types of crimes affecting seniors are investigated. Dial will work to decrease these crimes.

“The most common crimes we investigate are telephone scams, home repair/work fraud and residential burglaries,” Dial said. “The majority of the cases involve financial themes. The suspects in these crimes use the trusting nature of seniors for financial gain.”

The sheriff’s office will partner with several organizations that serve the seniors of Kendall County, including Kendall County TRIAD, Kendall County Senior Providers, Kendall County Seniors Advisory Council, Oswegoland Center Senior Advisory Council and more.

Dial will give presentations regarding current financial scams and other crimes targeting seniors to educate them and their associates throughout Kendall County.

“Dedicating a deputy full-time to partner with senior citizen organizations is the first step in helping senior citizens avoid becoming victims of a crime,” Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird said in a press release.

All citizens – seniors included – need to be aware of dealing with complete strangers, especially those strangers offering to perform unsolicited home repairs or work, Dial said.

“Everyone should trust their instincts and if something does not seem right, it probably is not right,” Dial said. “We encourage all citizens to contact your local law enforcement agency immediately if they suspect suspicious activity occurring.”

Dial is no stranger to taking on different roles throughout his career with the sheriff’s office. He has served as motorcycle officer, dignitary protection officer, D.A.R.E. officer, child restraint technician, defensive tactics instructor, school resource officer, public information officer, juvenile officer and more.