El Paso, Texas – The city of El Paso is mourning the loss of its longtime police chief, Greg Allen, who died on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the age of 71. Allen’s death was announced by the city officials, who did not disclose the cause of death. According to CBS4 Local, Allen died during recovery from a medical procedure.
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A Career Dedicated to Public Service
Allen joined the El Paso Police Department in 1978 and rose through the ranks to become the deputy chief in charge of the Central and Pebble Hills regional command centers. He was appointed as the first African American police chief in El Paso in March 2008, after serving as the interim chief following the retirement of former Chief Richard Wiles, who is now the El Paso County sheriff.
Allen led the department for nearly 15 years, overseeing a period of continued growth and challenges for El Paso. He was respected by other law enforcement leaders and beloved by many residents and his officers. He was a cop’s cop even if his hard-line law-and-order stances and his straightforward demeanor sometimes rattled some of El Paso’s more progressive residents, activists and political leaders.
A Legacy of Safety and Resilience
Allen was police chief during an era in which El Paso was ranked among the safest large cities in the United States even as neighboring Juárez was turned into one of the deadliest cities in the world during the drug cartel war years a decade ago. The rampant bloodshed in Mexico never spread to the El Paso side of the border.
Allen also faced possibly El Paso’s darkest hour when an Anglo out-of-town gunman killed 23 people and wounded dozens of others in a racially motivated mass shooting targeting Latinos in the Walmart store near Cielo Vista Mall on Aug. 3, 2019. President Donald Trump called Allen “one of the most respected men in law enforcement” during Trump’s visit to El Paso following the Walmart attack.
A Great Leader Remembered
Allen’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from city leaders, fellow officers and community members. Mayor Oscar Leeser said in a statement: “We lost a great leader today. 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. He earned the respect of every officer on his force, and I was proud to call him my friend. He will be greatly missed, and the City of El Paso will be forever indebted to him for his leadership.”
City Manager Tommy Gonzalez also mourned Allen in a statement: “This is a terrible loss for Chief Allen’s family, and it is heartbreaking for us, his City family as he meant so much to our organization and to our community. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Rosanne, and his entire family.”
El Paso Fire Department expressed their solidarity with the police department: “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. Thank you for dedicating your life to our community and for so many years of wisdom and camaraderie. May you rest in peace, Sir.”
El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles said he lost a dear friend: “While the El Paso Police Department and the citizens of El Paso lost their beloved Chief of Police, I also lost a dear friend.”
FBI El Paso praised Allen’s fight for the city: “FBI El Paso is saddened to hear of the passing of @EPPOLICE Chief Gregory Allen. Chief Allen fought for the City of El Paso and made it one of the safest cities in the nation. We want to send our condolences to his family and the men and women of #EPPD.”
The city has not announced any plans for a memorial service or funeral arrangements for Allen. He is survived by his wife Rosanne and his children.