Officer Allen Little League Tournament Begins In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA —The 3rd Annual Officer Allen K-9 Classic Memorial Tournament began on Wednesday with proceeds benefitting a Philadelphia police officer and his family.

The Hatboro Little League said the tournament runs through Saturday at the Little League complex on Blair Mill Road in Horsham Township.

The tournament honors the memory of Hatboro K-9 Police Officer Ryan Allen, and was started two years ago.

This year, the tournament's beneficiary —as chosen by the Allen family —will be Joe Cooney and family.

Cooney, a 25-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.

"Please support a great cause while enjoying some great baseball. Souvenir shirts will be available for sale, come out and get yours while they last," the Little League said in a Facebook post.

All net proceeds from tourney team fees, 50/50 drawings at the games, and tournament shirt sales will go to the family.

Allen, a police officer since 2013, died on April 7, 2022, six months after having a heart attack following a freak bee sting incident.

Allen never had allergic reactions to bees and had been stung before. But in October 2021, he experienced an anaphylactic shock from a bee sting and suffered a heart attack. He never recovered.