Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Denis Allen was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a disturbance call at 2720 Broadway. When they arrived they discovered a man was attempting to flood his apartment by clogging up the sinks and he was stabbing a block of ice with a knife. When the man saw the officers he advanced towards them with the knife but dropped it when both officers drew their weapons. As Patrolman Allen approached the suspect he suddenly pulled out a concealed handgun and shot him in the chest. Both officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Patrolman Allen succumbed to his injuries within minutes. The suspect had been released from jail that morning after serving time for the attempted murder of a police officer. Patrolman Allen had served with the agency for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-F063D607- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Allen gave the San Diego Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Allen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Denis W. Allen is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 0.9 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At San Diego Police Department, 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Denis W. Allen's cause is highlighted.
How Denis W. Allen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Denis W. Allen is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Denis W. Allen was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
