Mattos Mail Bag!
Hello all,It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of retired Deputy Chief Robert “Bob” Allen #1009 on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Bob was living in Hawaii with his wife Judi at the time of his passing.
Information regarding services/memorial will be posted as scheduled and made available.
Bob was living in Hawaii with his wife Judi at the time of his passing.
Information regarding services/memorial will be posted as scheduled and made available.
Attached is a list of Police and Fire retirees that have passed this year courtesy of retired Lt. Gary Johnson.
May they rest in peace.
Thank you,
Ernie Alcantar
PBA President
Was a major contributor to our great department in his day. A legend in several ways. May he rest in peace …. and his memory be eternal.
A Chief Bob Allen Story
I was working the midnight security shift at Alexian Brother’s Hospital on New Year’s Eve in 1969. It was after 0500 hrs. when I was called to Father Fischer’s private room to welcome in the New Year. This was not an unusual call, as Father Fischer and I had become good friends. Due to pain issues he could not sleep well and liked to talk and enjoyed a drink during the early hours.
Father Fischer was the Catholic Priest for the hospital and a former undercover intelligence officer for the IRS in Europe, where he had been an Infantry Officer in WWII.
When I walked into Father Fischer’s room he was enjoying a cocktail and he offered me one. A first. I hesitated, but with less than hour on my shift, I, reluctantly, relented and he poured me a weird combination of spirits. There I sat in full SJPD uniform, enjoying a drink with a dear friend and celebrating the New Year.
A short time later there was a knock at Father Fischer’s door. Who should walk in but, Deputy Police Chief Bob Allen. My short career with the SJPD was over, I was certain. Chief Allen quickly accepted the offered weird concoction from Father Fischer, and we spent the next hour toasting the New Year and telling tales. I listened. I drove home fully awake trying to process what had just happened that morning.
Nothing more was ever said about the New Year’s Day encounter at Alexian Brother’s Hospital.
I think about that New Year’s Day meeting with Chief Allen ever year at this time, and how my fate and future could have been a lot different with a lesser man and leader.
Bob Allen did a lot to help maintain and raise the standards at the SJPD, Capitola PD and the law enforcement profession.
Rest in peace, Bob Allen, you were one of our many good guys and gals.
Dan Bullock #1311