Peabody Police Dispatcher Dies of Illness

PEABODY, MA — The Peabody Police Department remembered a 911 dispatcher who died of an illness early Tuesday morning with a post on its Facebook page.

Neal Citroni served as a police dispatcher for the past six years, but dedicated much of his life to public service, the post said. Citroni had served as a police officer, firefighter and EMT. He was described as the "hat trick" of public safety.

Citroni was also given an "end of watch" broadcast just before midnight Tuesday. Citroni would have been working that evening.

"Dispatcher Neal Citroni dedicated his life in the service of others. This is Dispatcher Citroni's final call as he reports to his final duty station. He carries with him our gratitude and appreciation for his sacrifices in the service of others in his career as a police officer, firefighter, EMT and finally a 911 Operator for the City of Peabody Police Department," said Dispatcher Ryan Sauk, president of the Peabody Police Dispatchers Association, in the broadcast.