And he said, who wants to talk about me? The 22-year-old man was in a mental health crisis when he was fatally shot by a police officer in his parents home. Cooper declined to comment. The Walmart mass killing case is pending in state and federal court. El Paso Police Department (EPPD) is the principal law enforcement agency serving El Paso, Texas, United States. He was a dedicated servant of our community, always putting the needs of the people first. 1 min read. How has law enforcement and policing changed over the last decade and what should a new leader consider to succeed in leading a police department? We have seen this play out across Texas, and this momentum will only increase. Allen graduated from Bel Air High School in 1969, where he took part in Junior ROTC. Allen, 71, has been El Pasos police chief since 2008, the first African American to hold that rank. "He earned the respect of every officer on his force, and I was proud to call him my friend. Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times. Allen's death was announced Tuesday afternoon by the city of El Paso. Her experience includes work as city government watchdog reporter for the El Paso Times, investigative reporter for El Paso Newspaper Tree and communities May you rest in peace, Sir.". "I could go on and on about Greg's accomplishments and recognitions, but the thing I will miss most about him is our long phone conversations in which we were able to vent to one another. Dallas police Chief Eddie Garca on Tuesday fired an officer who was accused of multiple violations, including unnecessary or inappropriate force against a citizen and profane language while interacting with a prisoner. He joined an El Paso Police Department that had a history of mistreating Black officers, said Ron Stallworth, who grew up in El Paso and went onto a law-enforcement career in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah before writing the best-selling book Black Klansman.. By the time issues arise to the chiefs attention, they are difficult to solve and almost always upset some groups when a final decision is made. Before a community selects a new police chief, look for the evidence of the candidates willingness to meet, to collaborate, to advocate and to follow up. Follow Crime Map. He didnt tell his supervisor about the crash, police said. The special agents gave a final salute to the chief Jan. 27 as his hearse passed by on Montana Avenue during a lengthy procession on its way to Evergreen Cemetery East. Allen is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1975. El Paso Chief of Police Greg Allen was not only an incredible chief of police, but he was an incredible son, husband, father, and friend. The great disrupter now is the negative public narrative, not the economy. Her experience includes work as city government watchdog reporter for the El Paso Times, investigative reporter for El Paso Newspaper Tree and communities Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. Is it more common to hire someone from another city or state? with his arrest last year on charges of interference with public duties and public intoxication, About half-million North Texans lose extra food benefits, Mall owner backs out of plans for paid parking at D-FW shopping center, Severe thunderstorm warning issued for southern Dallas County as storm brings hail risk, Marriott fires back at Michael Irvins request for expedited evidence in $100M lawsuit, Texas urges five big pension funds to cut off financial firms boycotting fossil fuels, Shermans semiconductor hub attracts massive land buy for home development, Billions to spur U.S. semiconductor manufacturing comes with strings attached, Back to normal: D-FW home prices now only growing at a pre-pandemic pace, Mexicos democracy is in danger, and we could all pay the price, Conservative groups target American Airlines racial hiring efforts, NFL owners ask Jerry Jones to broker deal with Dan Snyder on Commanders sale, report says. He was later assigned to the training division of the Police Academy when he ensured that all police recruits were well prepared for job ahead. His law enforcement career ultimately spanned 45 years. Allen was respected by other law enforcement leaders and beloved by many residents and his officers. Our heart goes out to his wife, Rosanne, and his entire family during this difficult time. Click here to view. Lyons had previously served in the Fire Department and was not the typical "rough" character previously known in El Paso law enforcement. Chief Allen was a police officer for 45 years and headed up the EPPD for nearly 15 years, the El Paso Times reported. WebPlease join us in prayer for the family of El Paso Police Department chief Gregory Allen. She is a regular contributor to Signature Montana magazine, and has written feature articles for Distinctly Montana magazine. He graduated from Bel Air High School in 1969 where he was active in the JROTC program. She grew up in El Paso and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in political science and film and a minor in journalism. How common is it for municipalities when hiring a new police chief to hire from within the existing department? Despite his rise to the top, Chief Allen held a deep respect for the officers out working the streets and considered them to be the backbone of the agency. Additionally, Allen served the El Paso community for a total of 45 years, starting as a patrolman in the late 1970s. Last year, the city of El Paso settled a $1.2 million civil-rights lawsuit with the family of Erik Emmanuel Salas-Sanchez, 22, who was fatally shot in 2015 in what civil rights lawyers claimed was a part of a pattern of excessive force used against mentally ill residents. For me, the patrol officer is the most important person (in the department) because thats the day-to-day contact that the people have with the department, he told the El Paso Times the day he was promoted to chief. [17], Around 2008, forward e-mails titled "El Paso Police Pinata" or "One cop, three bad guys" were in circulation. He oversaw the department during a period of continued growth and challenges for El Paso. Cagles interference charge was dismissed after he completed a pre-trial diversion program, according to court records, which also no longer showed the public intoxication charge. Chief Allen was a leader, a guardian, & an El Pasoan. Pacillas graduated from the El Paso Police Academy in 1988 and rose through the ranks to be appointed assistant police chief in 2009. El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen, who had led the department for almost 15 years, died Tuesday. He has been a journalist in the Texas Borderlands since 1986. This page features just a few of May you rest in peace, Sir. Each Monday morning we deliver critical El Paso news right to your inbox. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Longtime El Paso police Chief Greg Allen has died after nearly 15 years at the department. Chief Allen served as the agencys interim police chief before he was formally appointed as the departments leader in March of 2008, the El Paso Times reported. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. City of El Paso tweeted Tuesday afternoon, "The City of El Paso is saddened to report the death of longtime Police Chief Greg Allen. pic.twitter.com/xDvmqCHBdl, HSI El Paso (@HSIElPaso) January 30, 2023, This evening, I had the solemn privilege of speaking at Chief Greg Allens remembrance ceremony. "Chief Allen partnered with HSI El Paso throughout the years in our agencies shared mission of making El Paso the safest city in America. During his time in the law enforcement academy, he received the classs top physical fitness award and was chosen as class president. Throughout 40 years of service to the El Paso Police Department, Chief Allen gave his life to protecting and serving our community - and for that, his dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten. Houston is not listed on the official department website, but is listed on the Officer Down Memorial Page. The City of El Paso is saddened to report the death of longtime Police Chief Greg Allen.Chief Allen joined the City of El Paso in 1978 and was named Chief of Police in March 2008.End of Watch January 17, 2023. pic.twitter.com/lYqI7lizzy, City of El Paso (@ElPasoTXGov) January 17, 2023. He was the first and only supervisor of a full-time SWAT Unit. Chief Allen joined the EPPD in 1978 was initially assigned to patrol on the citys central and west side, according to the El Paso Times. [7], Newspaper accounts show the police starting to use motor vehicles for law enforcement in 1909. Chief Allen leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Rosanne, as well as his four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. On behalf of the men & women of the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol we send our sympathies. In 2020 amid the national reckoning following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, El Paso activists, community groups and other protesters called on Allen to be fired over various allegations of excessive force and the fatal shootings of mentally ill people in El Paso over the years. 14. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the family and friends of Chief Allen and with our brothers and sisters of the El Paso Police Department," the El Paso Fire Department said in a tweet. Greg Abbott has authorized flying flags at half-staff in El Paso County in honor of Allen. EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) The El Paso City Council voted Tuesday to approve renaming the El Paso police headquarters after late police chief He said the chief felt Coopers use of force went outside of our normal arrest policy and use-of-force procedures, but didnt rise to the level of a criminal act, which can be the case with excessive force. He was the longest-serving chief in the history of EPPD, leading the Department for about 15 years. The current chief, Greg Allen, is the department's first African American chief. He later pleaded guilty to Improper Relationship Between an Educator and Student. He was sentenced to 400 hours of community service and a fine. In 40-plus years with the department, he has worked as a patrol officer, training specialist at the Police Academy, sergeant, lieutenant and deputy chief. pic.twitter.com/LEix8EApUl, Aaron Martinez (@AMartinezEPT) January 27, 2023, Rest in Peace @EPPOLICE Chief Greg Allen#elpasodistrict4 #elpaso #iamelpaso #northeastelpaso #blueline #police #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/4PQ2e3061D, City Rep Joe Molinar (@CityRepMolinar) January 27, 2023. If there are known issues that continue to warrant concern, then it is common for cities to consider hiring from outside the agency. Dial 3-1-1 on any phone, report or look up your case online, or use the EP311 app! WebField Training Officers, who shall be appointed by or approved by the Chief, shall receive an additional 7% of their salary added to their regular class grade and level pay during the period they serve. We lost a great leader today, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said. Lowman declined to say when Coopers violations occurred. WebTom Whitten previously served with the El Paso Police Department since his commission in 1990 and held the ranks of Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Deputy We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Roseanne, and his entire family.. 1 Carlos Leon About DA Victim Services Events Case Portal FAQ Public Service Announcements Allen's death was announced Tuesday by city officials. Gone too soon. She He was a dedicated servant of our community, always putting the needs of the people first. Follow us on social media and be sure to mark us as "See First.". He earned the respect of every officer on his force, and I was proud to call him my friend, Leeser continued. Greg was selected Chief of Police in 2008. Without a doubt, the primary complaint I hear from line-level officers is that they do not see their chiefs. He was an esteemed member of our City family and we mourn alongside them.. However, it is clear that the necessary ingredient for navigating this environment is emotional intelligence. Kelli Smith, Staff Writer.Kelli covers public safety and the Dallas Police Department for The Dallas Morning News. All rights reserved. Allen would survive the controversies as a police chief respected by the men and women of law enforcement and supported by many El Pasoans. Were 3 years old this month! City Manager Tommy Gonzalez also mourned Allen in a statement. They remain in our thoughts and prayers.. As of Fiscal Year 2014, the agency had an annual budget of more than $118 million and employed around 1,300 personnel, including approximately 1,100 officers. El Paso Times 0:00 0:44 Road closures for longtime El Paso police Chief Greg Allen's memorial and funeral services might impact your daily commute Thursday and Friday. El Paso Matters is dedicated to providing our community with the information to make educated, informed decisions. What to do? pic.twitter.com/KhLbYRwpNg, FBI El Paso (@FBIElPaso) January 18, 2023. They must do something radical and actually work the streets alongside their officers. As of Fiscal Year 2014, the agency had an annual budget of Jadon Jeter Robinson, who had lived in Northeast El Paso, died Feb. 2 after he was mortally Allen was appointed the first African American police chief in El Paso in March 2008 after previously serving as interim chief following the retirement of former Chief Richard Wiles, who now is El Paso County sheriff. Help us celebrate: Donate now. EPPD and the community are heartbroken over the loss of Police Chief Greg Allen. Were 3 years old this month! [7], Community policing has been an important goal of the police department in recent years. El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen obituary Gregory K. Allen - Chief of Police, age 71, entered into eternal rest on January 17, 2023 in El Paso, Texas. I met Greg Allen early in my career and later appointed him as a Deputy Chief because of his unwavering support of the patrol officers who worked in the field; this support continuing during his time as Chief of Police. His father was a Fort Bliss soldier and his mother a homemaker. He will be greatly missed, and the City of El Paso will be forever indebted to him for his leadership., Our heart goes out to his wife Rosanne and his entire family at this difficult and painful time, the mayor continued. Sign up for our free newsletter. He was fined and ordered to undergo drug and alcohol testing. Allen, 71, was El Pasos police chief since 2008 and the first African A cause of death was not disclosed. Fingerprinting began in 1915. His death was announced Tuesday afternoon by the city of El Paso. Adios Amigo. The family returned to El Paso when his father retired from the military. Dr. Martin Luther King said it well when he said that the riot is the voice of the unheard. Allen was the El Paso The deaths of police officers in the line of duty were an especially painful and difficult part of his job as chief, Allen once commented. State boundaries are becoming less and less important. He rose through the ranks over the decades that followed, to include being promoted as deputy in charge of the Pebble Hills and Central regional command centers. [7] During this period, the department employed a series of City Marshals who were known to be as rough and wild as the criminals in the frontier town, with shootouts and small scale wars being much more common than today for example in 1881 the "Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight." "We express our heartfelt condolences to the El Paso Police Department. WebCliff Walsh has served as the Chief of Police for The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Police Department since 2005. 17 Canyon Randall ends Riversides season, Riverside boys ready for Canyon Randall in Regionals, UTEP football begins preparations for 2023 season, Locomotive FC signs Luis Moreno, becomes clubs youngest, Lillard posts 71 points, 13 3s, then gets drug test, Animal shelters compete to raise funds, awareness, Emaciated horses rescued after found without food,, Star on Mountain knocked out by high winds, Socorro opens new communications/dispatch center, Diabetes, Now What? Allen was El Pasos longest Chief Allen was a valued law enforcement partner, true leader and friend. Pacillas, who has been serving as Assistant They must meet at least monthly with their association leaders and discuss issues that affect all employees, including civilians. ", Police Chief Greg Allens passing is an immense loss for the city and our police department. 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