(KCPW News) Utah AFL-CIO President Jim Judd died this morning after being taken off life support, following a severe head injury he sustained in a motorcycle crash Thursday in Montana. State Senator Karen Mayne says she was with him a week ago in Chicago, and she was devastated to hear the news of his accident.
“This is really a blow to us; he was a fine man, a good leader, and we just have to regroup as a community and a state to think the good things that he’s done and rejoice in having been a part of his life,” says Mayne.
Judd, a retired Battalion Chief, served with the Ogden Fire Department for more than 20 years. He was elected last year to serve as Vice-Chair of the Utah Democratic Party.
Former Utah Democratic Party Chair Wayne Holland, a longtime friend of Judd’s, says his leadership ability was obvious from early on, and that he had a genuine ability to get people engaged.
“He was always willing to get in the car whether I needed him in Sanpete County or Carbon County as the chair of the party or out on the Nevada border as the international staff representative for the steelworkers, he was eager to engage and always very competent in getting people to see why they have to play a role,” he says.
The AFL-CIO says Judd was in Montana to participate in the International Association of Fire Fighters motorcycle rally. Senator Mayne says once funeral matters are arranged, plans to honor Judd and his life’s work in Utah will be announced.
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