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Incident
Detective Sergeant James Allen was attacked and shot with his own service weapon while questioning a suspect about the stabbing and robbery of an 86-year-old woman earlier in the afternoon.
The attack took place at approximately 0100 hours inside the Providence Police Department headquarters.
The suspect was not under arrest, and his handcuffs had been removed during the questioning. After shooting Detective Allen, the suspect shot out a third-floor window and jumped from the building. He was captured a few blocks away and charged with one count of murder. He was found guilty of murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison on October 10, 2006.
Detective Sergeant Allen had served with the Providence Police Department for 27 years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and father, who is a retired police captain.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Allen gave the Providence Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Providence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Allen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Providence Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in RI, 45.5% of the 55 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 1 officer at Providence Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 2.
In 2005, 1 officer in RI was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1958, with 3.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 50. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Providence Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 44; the middle age was 40. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
James was 50. Of the 25 killed feloniously in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 40. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
James was 50. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 40% of these deaths at Providence Police Department; February holds the most, 60%. Sundays: 80%.
April holds 20% of these deaths in RI; June holds the most, 24%. Sundays: 20%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Providence Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 55 deaths in RI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Providence Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Providence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
