George Norman Bays, 86, passed away on June 10, 2020. George joined the Arizona Highway Patrol in 1957 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He was the first person in the history of Cochise College to graduate by taking correspondence courses. He completed his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Arizona and his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration at ASU. In 1975, George became Chief of Police for ASU and served as president of the Arizona Police Chief's Association. In 1982, he returned to the Department of Public Safety for a brief stint as commander for the General Criminal Investigations Unit. After retiring from the DPS, he became special border projects administrator for the MVD at the rank of Major. He had a major impact on ports of entry and played a key role in the implementation of NAFTA. In May 2007, George was honored by the governor for 50-years of dedicated service to the State of Arizona.

George is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, five siblings and a step-grandson. He is survived by a brother, a daughter, four sons, eleven grandchildren, a step-grandson, three great grandchildren, and Wanda Balbuena, who has been the family nanny for 31 years and was George's daily caregiver the last eight-years of his life. Visitation was held at Hatfield Funeral Home, 830 AZ-92, Sierra Vista, AZ on Friday, June 19, 2020, followed with Rosary. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on June 20, 2020 at Our Lady of the Mountains Church, 1425 E. Yaqui Street, Sierra Vista, AZ. [Due to COVID-19 only 46 people were allowed to attend, and all were required to wear a mask]. Escort from Lady of the Mountains Church to Evergreen Cemetery in Bisbee, AZ was provided by CCSO. Final committal prayers and the honors concluded the ceremony. Reception was held at the Copper Queen Hotel, 11 Howell Ave. Bisbee, AZ immediately following the burial. (Source: ASU Foundation)