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Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Allen suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with an inmate at the old Hillsborough County Jail at 1301 Morgan Street in Tampa. While being escorted to the psychiatric ward for observation, the subject became violent. Deputy Allen and another deputy managed to subdue the subject. Afterward, Deputy Allen went to the Tampa General Hospital where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Deputy Allen had served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-PQCM-T540-Wearlier record number BO-US-FL-2007BD04- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Allen gave the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Allen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
James is one of 1,304 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,543 remembered there.
James is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer in FL was lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 1974, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1974, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 55. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. James had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
James was 55. Of the 1,246 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 55. Of the 1,248 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
May holds 19.4% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 13.3% of all 15 deaths at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 50% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 12.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
His people
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Richard Roach Aug 22, 1874
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William Erastus Whitehurst
Jul 4, 1893
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Robert Max Suarez
Sep 3, 1944
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Ben P. Wilder, Jr.
Jul 22, 1962
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Donald Clark Williams
Jun 12, 1967
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Lee A. Hutchinson
Jul 25, 1970
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James David Allen, Jr.
May 21, 1974
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Lemon Harvey
Dec 15, 1981
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Frederick Thomas Clark, Sr.
May 7, 1987
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Donna Marie Miller
May 8, 1987
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David Anthony Abella
Apr 21, 2004
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Ronald Hamlin Harrison
Aug 15, 2007
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Mark Alan Longway
Sep 21, 2010
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John Robert Kotfila, Jr.
Mar 12, 2016
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Brian Roy LaVigne
Jan 11, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
