[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H9003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DARRELL ALLEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 6, 2015, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Darrell Allen of 
Garland, Texas, who passed away on November 10, 2015, as a result of 
wounds received while he was serving his community.
  Darrell Allen was chief of police for the city of Marlin. He 
selflessly served his community, and he will be greatly missed.
  Darrell was born January 17, 1972, in Galveston, Texas. He graduated 
from Texas City High School and went on to obtain an associate's degree 
in criminal justice from McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. In 
his pursuit to better serve his community, Darrell returned to school 
and received his bachelor in criminal justice in May of this year.
  Since he was a child, Darrell dreamed of becoming a police officer. 
He began his career in law enforcement in 1994 with the Galveston 
County Sheriff's Department. Darrell's distinguished career also 
included service with the Alvin Independent School District, the 
Hitchcock Police Department, the Danbury Police Department, the Arcola 
Police Department, the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office, and 
chief of police at the Lott Police Department.
  In 2005, Darrell joined the City of Marlin Police Department, where 
he proceeded to climb through the department ranks. He was promoted to 
assistant chief of police in 2006 and elevated to chief of police in 
2009.
  As Marlin's chief of police, Darrell focused his efforts on building 
police community relations and increasing juvenile safety. He 
consistently drove down the community's crime rate. Today Marlin is one 
of the safest communities in America. His efforts garnered recognition 
for the Marlin Police Department from the Texas Police Chief 
Association's Foundation for Law Enforcement Agency Best Practices 
Programs.
  Darrell worked tirelessly to better our central Texas community. He 
loved his city, and he left an enduring impression on those he served. 
This is evident from the scores of residents who gathered together 
recently in memory of their fallen chief. He will forever be remembered 
for his devotion to public service, as a father to his children, and as 
a friend to countless Marlin citizens.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Allen family. We also lift up the family and friends of Darrell 
Allen in our prayers.
  As I close, I ask that all Americans continue to pray for our 
country, for our military men and women who protect us abroad, and for 
our first responders who protect us here at home.

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