2005 -- S 1025

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LC03141

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2005

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING ITS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF PROVIDENCE

POLICE OFFICER DETECTIVE SERGEANT JAMES L. ALLEN

     Introduced By: Senator Joseph M. Polisena

     Date Introduced: April 26, 2005

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that we learned of the tragic passing of Detective

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Sergeant James L. Allen, who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, April 17, 2005; and

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     WHEREAS, Detective Sergeant James L. Allen was dedicated to serving and protecting

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the public. Detective Sergeant Allen was the very epitome of a police officer. He was completely

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devoted to his job and the public he served. During his 27 year career as a Providence Police

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officer he was known for his integrity, great compassion for those who were the victims of crime,

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his skill at solving crimes, his incredible memory, observatory skills, recall powers, and his great

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courage; and

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     WHEREAS, Detective Sergeant Allen often performed his duties as a Police Officer

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above and beyond the call of duty. Whether he was saving an elderly woman from a burning

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building, taking away, with his bare hands, a sawed-off shotgun from a dangerous criminal, or

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grabbing an armed robber late at night at the New York System in Olneyville. Detective Allen

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was always willing to risk his life to protect the safety and lives of the public he took an oath to

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protect. For his bravery and heroism, Detective Allen was awarded numerous medals and

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commendations, including the Departmental Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart; and

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     WHEREAS, Marguerite Allen was, quite simply, the love of Detective James Allen's life.

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He first met Marguerite at a service at St. Thomas Church, but he was too shy to introduce

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himself. In typical police officer fashion, he got to know her when he was investigating the break-

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in of her home on Priscilla Street. From that simple and humble beginning James and Marguerite

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built a marriage and family that endured the test of time because it was based on love and faith;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Detective Sergeant James L. Allen was first and foremost devoted to his

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family and his faith. He was the loving husband of Marguerite, the devoted father to daughters

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Jennifer and Caitlin, a son of retired Captain Lloyd J. Allen of the Providence Police Department

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and Jacqueline Allen, brother of Danny and John, and with his family was a communicant of St.

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Thomas Church in Providence. As they and we mourn the loss of this good man perhaps we can

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be comforted by the knowledge that James L. Allen, a man devoted to God and his faith, a true

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"disciple of Christ", has surely been welcomed into the kingdom of God and right now is

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watching over his family and loved ones. Detective Sergeant Allen will forever remain in the

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hearts of his family, friends and all those who knew him; and

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     WHEREAS, As we honor the legacy and memory of Detective Sergeant James L. Allen,

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and grieve for his wife, children, and family, let us never forget that everyday Police Officers risk

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their lives in the line of duty to protect and serve the public; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Detective Sergeant James L. Allen to

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his wife Marguerite, his daughters Jennifer and Caitlin, his parents Lloyd and Jacqueline Allen,

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and his brothers Danny and John Allen; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Marguerite Allen.

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LC03141

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