Dallas County once again has a coroner.

Gov. Bob Riley appointed former Special Coroner Alan Dailey Dallas County coroner on Friday. Brock Wells, Republican Party chairman for Dallas County, got the word from Montgomery early Friday afternoon.

Dailey served under former Dallas County Coroner Franklyn Bailey as deputy coroner until Bailey’s death on Jan. 16. Bailey died while assisting at a traffic accident that resulted in the death of John T. Morgan Academy student Walter Harrison. Bailey died of an apparent heart attack that was unrelated to the accident.

Dallas County Probate Judge Johnny W. Jones Jr. appointed Dailey special coroner Jan. 17 after learning of Bailey’s death. Alabama Code gives Jones the ability to appoint a special coroner, but only the governor could appoint a coroner.

Dailey, who works part time with Haynes Ambulance of Selma, said Wells contacted him about the appointment on Friday. However, he hasn’t yet received official documentation from the governor’s office.

Jones said that he had complete confidence in Dailey’s abilities. &uot;He’s worked as an EMT for several years,&uot; Jones added. &uot;We’re certainly pleased with the selection.&uot;

Dailey served under Bailey as assistant/deputy coroner for eight years.

He joined the Selma-Dallas County Rescue Squad at 18 and has been a member for 29 years. He gained his basic EMT license 23 years ago and his intermediate license 21 years ago.

As coroner, Dailey will be &uot;on call&uot; 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

His duties will include signing death certificates, finding the cause of death, assisting the Selma Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and completing paperwork required by the state.

Jones noted that Dailey would have to be sworn in as coroner, but added that several officials can perform the rite, including circuit judges and himself.