Abilene Police Officer Found Dead in Home; Homicide Investigation Launched

The death of an Abilene police officer found dead in his home is being investigated as a murder.

According to a press release from the Abilene Police Department, Clyde PD responded to a 911 call at a south side residence shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, where they found the body of off-duty APD officer Don Allen. His body had been discovered by friends and relatives and was the only person in the house when his body was found, the release states.

“The manner of death was clearly suspicious, so the Clyde Police Department contacted the Abilene Police Department and Texas Rangers for assistance,” APD Chief Stan Standridge wrote. “All three agencies and the FBI have now been working through this investigation non-stop, and we will continue until those responsible are taken into custody.”

The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation into the officer’s death, headed by Ranger Shane Morrow. At the present, Chief Standridge said, there does not appear to be any imminent danger to the citizens of Clyde, nor is there any indication that law enforcement personnel are being targeted at random.

Don Allen had been with the APD for one year and five months, and from the onset, made it clear that he wanted to apply himself by going through the full academy rather than the abbreviated version, adding another six months of training, Standridge said.

“He completed the training, and in doing so gained lifelong friends and tremendous respect for fully adopting Abilene’s core values,” the chief said. “Officer Don Allen graduated from Police Academy Class 51 along with 14 other officers. As a peace officer, he had accrued 1,400 training hours. His total service time as a Texas Peace Officer was three years and three months.”

Allen is survived by his parents in Clyde, as well as two brothers, a sister and a fiancé, Chief Standridge said in a press conference.  

“This family is heartbroken over the loss of their loved one, as is our police family,” Standridge said. “Parents should not have to bury their children, and this family certainly needs our love and prayers during this time.”

Visitation is set for Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Chapel at Beltway Park Church, located at 4009 Beltway South, Abilene. Services will then be Friday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. at Beltway in the main sanctuary. Graveside services will immediately follow at Clyde Cemetery.