Twenty-seven-year-old Don Allen, a police officer from Abilene, Texas, was found dead inside his home in Clyde, Texas on Monday. "The circumstances behind his death indicate that the probable cause is homicide. Aside from that, I'm not going to comment any further.... I don't want to say anything today that would compromise our ability to hold these people accountable," said Police Chief Stan Standridge, according to CNN.
Texas Rangers leading the investigation being assisted by the FBI describe Allen's death as "clearly suspicious," and are looking into numerous leads to track down the suspects and find out the motive behind the killing.
The slaying took place days after the shooting death of a deputy in Harris, Texas where a Houston police deputy was shot 15 times.
Though Stranridge stated that there were no indications of law enforcement personnel being targeted, officers were shaken after Allen's death since allegations of people targeting law enforcers is rampant.
"The initial reaction was fear. Why was Officer Allen chosen? That speaks volumes as it relates to how vulnerable are we," said Standridge, reported CNN. "We look like we're prepared for anything. But the reality is, we're just like you. We go to the same schools in this community. We attend the same churches. We eat at the same restaurants. We are just like you."
Allen's body was sent to Tarrant County for an autopsy on Monday night. A patrol officer was then sent to Abilene/Taylor Law Enforcement Center to make sure that the location was secured.
"I cannot recall an Abilene police officer being murdered," said Standridge, according to the Examiner. "And so when this happens in our own domicile, our own residence, the first thought is fear. When it occurs in the home, it really lets you know that nothing is sacred.
Allen, who had just proposed to his fiancée on July 12, was described as jovial but "lean and mean."
"He never, not once, didn't have a smile, Don loved this job," said Stanridge, according to the Abilene Reporter News.
