INDIANAPOLIS -- A sign now marks the gate where Lt. Aaron Allan would have reported for duty Friday morning at the Indiana State Fair.
This year’s fair won’t be the same for any of those who worked closest with Lt. Allan.
“The laugh, I’ll never forget. He was always smiling, always laughing,” said Southport Police Department Assistant Chief David Howe.
A small group of those police officers and their families gathered at the gate Thursday evening, on the grounds of the Indiana Deaf School, to dedicate it to their friend and brother.
“This job was his passion, other than his family. This job was the world to him,” said Assistant Chief Howe.
Year after year Lt. Allan reported for duty at the Indiana State Fair, one of his favorite weeks of the year.
Lawrence Police Lieutenant Thomas Wright said he worked with Lt. Allan at the State Fair for a number of years.
“He would show up every year, work long days – 10 to 12 hours – but he loved working out here, loved the people,” said Lt. Wright.
Lt. Allan would even bring his camper, not just for him but for his friends as well.
“We would camp out here and, you know, at the end of the night the guys would go to the camper and we’d all have a little fire and hang out and enjoy each other’s company,” said Lt. Wright.
The officers shared memories, some bringing tears and others laughter – about the man who they say committed his life to helping others.
“You could only hope to be half the officer he was,” said Officer Ellis. “(Lt. Allan) left really big shoes to fill. It’s going to take a while if anybody can get close to that.”
READ MORE | Family of Lt. Aaron Allan issues statement thanking the community for support | Funeral arrangements set for Southport police Lt. Aaron Allan | Hours before he was killed, Lt. Aaron Allan walked his son to his first day of kindergarten | Remembering Southport police Lt. Aaron Allan: A father, a husband & first to rush to those in need | Fellow officer on Lt. Aaron Allan: "The footprints he left are huge" | Southport officer thought he was responding to a routine crash, instead he was shot to death | Who is Jason Brown? Woman who's known him his whole life says shooting suspect is 'shy & timid' | Jason Brown formally charged with murder; allegedly shot Lt. Allan 11 times, including while he was crawling away | Jason Brown's criminal history includes only 1 misdemeanor | Owner of shop where suspected cop killer Jason Brown worked: "Please don't condemn us all" | Numbers show officer's shooting like nothing Southport has ever seen
