Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Allen was shot and killed when he stopped a suspicious vehicle on I-95 one mile north of Four Oaks. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Allen, the driver of the vehicle had minutes earlier murdered another man during a robbery. As Patrolman Allen asked the driver for his identification and registration, the man produced a .38 caliber revolver and shot him in the stomach. The man then shot Patrolman Allen in the back several times as he lay on the ground. The suspect and an occupant of the vehicle fled the scene but were later apprehended. The accomplice was sentenced to 32 years in prison. He died in prison on January 17th, 1989. The suspect who shot Patrolman Allen pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. The shooter served 28-1/2 years of the life sentence before being paroled in October 2006. Patrolman Allen was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a Bronze Star recipient. He had served with the Four Oaks Police Department for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 1-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-79B51107- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Allen served with the Four Oaks Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Four Oaks community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dennis Wilbert Allen served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Dennis Wilbert Allen is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Four Oaks Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis Wilbert Allen's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis Wilbert Allen Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life; paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis Wilbert Allen is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis Wilbert Allen was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Four Oaks Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
