Officer Ryan Allen Remembered In Hatboro Ceremony

HATBORO, PA —They gathered on a rainy Saturday to honor a fallen police officer, father, husband, colleague, and friend.

With a light rain falling outside the front of the Produce Junction on Saturday morning, the borough dedicated a new community plaza to fallen Hatboro Police Officer Ryan Allen, who died after complications from a bee sting on April 7, 2022.

After Borough Manager Diane Hegele made some initial remarks to kick off the dedication ceremony, Mayor Tim Schultz, Borough Council President George Bollendorf, State Rep. Nancy Guenst, and Police Chief Mark Ruegg discussed Allen's honor and commitment serving the borough. Whitney Allen, the officer's widow, also made remarks with her sons Jackson and Leo by her side.

Also in attendance were Councilwoman Amanda Jacobus, former Police Chief James Gardner, and members of the Enterprise Fire Company.

Ruegg said that Allen's uniform short hangs in the locker room at the police station with the phrase "Never Forgotten."

Ruegg noted Allen's fierce determination, work ethic, desire to go above and beyond, and not "accepting just being average."

"We know these things about Ryan because we had the opportunity to work with him for many years and get to know him," Ruegg said.

The Officer Allen Community Plaza, located outside of Produce Junction, provides an area for residents to gather whether they're taking a break from shopping, enjoying one of York Road's many events, or just catching up with friends, borough officials said.

"Officer Allen adored Hatboro and dedicated his life to serving and strengthening our community. We hope this space continues to carry on his legacy for years to come.

Born on May 21, 1987, Allen joined the Hatboro Police Department in 2013. He also served as a field training officer, a member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force, a member of the Bike Patrol Unit, the department’s First Aid and CPR Instructor.

Allen established the department’s first police canine program in which he received a prestigious Award of Valor for meritorious community service.

On May 20, 2019, Allen’s K-9 German Shepard partner Louie, was sworn in and received his badge,#59, from the Borough of Hatboro and was deployed in a limited capacity for narcotics detection.

On Dec. 5, 2019, K-9 Louie and Allen graduated top of their class from Patrol School at Penn Vet Working Dog Center. They became a fixture in town and both were well known and loved in the community.

On Oct. 14, 2021, Allen was stung by a bee and suffered a severe medical reaction resulting in cardiac arrest and although he fought long and hard, he could not overcome the damage done to his body because of the reaction.

On March 17, 2022, a procession of police vehicles from all over escorted Officer Allen and his family for his final ride through Hatboro, and sadly, he passed away at home surrounded by his family on April 7, 2022.

In 2022, when the Borough of Hatboro was selected as a recipient for a grant to be used to upgrade community space, it was appropriate we dedicate this space to Allen, who dedicated his life to serving the Hatboro community and we will be forever proud and grateful for his service.

"We thank the Allen family for sharing Ryan with u. His legacy will live on through this new community space for his sons, Jackson and Leo Allen, and for everyone present and future, to remember what an important part of our community that he was and know how many communities came together and went all in for 37K1," borough officials said.

This project was made possible through grant funding from T-Mobile and Main Street America.

(Photos by Dino Ciliberti/Patch) Hatboro Mayor Tim Schultz speaks at Saturday's dedication.

Hatboro Police Chief Mark Ruegg with State Rep. Nancy Guenst behind him.

Borough Council President George Bollendorf speaks.

Ryan Allen's widow, Whitney Allen, and her two children look at the plaque dedicated to her late husband.