[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 189 (Wednesday, October 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE CAREER OF MAJOR DENNIS ALLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 27, 2021

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
recognize the retirement of a true American hero, Major Dennis Allen. 
Major Allen has served his community and Nation admirably for 55 years, 
including three years in the military and 52 years as a law enforcement 
officer.
  Born on August 13, 1947, to parents Jo and Bill Allen, Dennis spent 
his childhood in Silsbee, Texas. Following his graduation from Silsbee 
High School in 1966, he joined the Army and served a year-long tour of 
duty in Vietnam from January 1967 to January 1968. In Vietnam, he spent 
his time as a light weapons member of a 10-man reconnaissance team in 
the Central Highlands area of North Pleiku.
  After being honorably discharged in 1969, he attended Georgetown 
University and trained at the Metropolitan Police Academy in 
Washington, D.C. He later served as a patrolman, undercover detective, 
and member of the Civil Disturbance Unit for the Washington D.C. 
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). As an MPD officer, he was one of 
many called to respond to the mass demonstrations in D.C. on ``May 
Day'' in 1969, which resulted in the arrests of more than 6,000 rioters 
and protesters of the Vietnam War.
  In 1973, Dennis returned to his hometown in Texas and began working 
for the Silsbee Police Department, eventually serving in every position 
within the agency, including Chief of Police. He later moved on to work 
for two other law enforcement entities located in Southeast Texas, 
including the Polk County Sheriff's Office, where he was the Captain of 
Detectives for ten years, and the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, where 
he held the positions of Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, and Major of 
Criminal Investigations during his stay. In addition to his law 
enforcement education, Dennis holds a Master Peace Officer License 
through the state of Texas and has held that level of certification 
since 1994.
  To say that Dennis has had a remarkable career is a vast 
understatement as few law enforcement officers reach 50 years of 
service. The positive impact he has made is evident by the number of 
officers he has mentored and trained, many of whom have become 
supervisors and administrators themselves. Their accomplishments are a 
direct reflection of the leadership and instruction they received from 
Major Allen.
  Yet, life was not only about law enforcement for Dennis, especially 
after marrying his beautiful bride Sandy in 1973. Dennis and Sandy have 
two children, Kevin Allen and Stacy Caldwell, and are also the proud 
grandparents of six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Major Dennis Allen for his more 
than half a century of unwavering commitment to his community and 
country. He has done so with incredible integrity and professionalism, 
and I am honored to represent such a patriot in Congress.

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