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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SGT Jason Allen (2000-Present)
Indiana State Police Department
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 From a very early age I knew I wanted to be a Policeman. My father had a friend that was a Policeman and I thought he was better than superman. Even as a kid I wanted to help people. I was the kid who helped an opposing player off the field when he was down instead of celebrating a win. I began my emergency response as early as I could. I was a 15 year old Volunteer Fireman. I was hooked from there.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I first started as a Security Policeman in the USAF. After four years I was honorably discharged and began to work for the Bicknell Police Department in SW Indiana. My goal was to join the Indiana State Police. I got my chance in Jan 2000 when I started the ISP 59th Recruit School. Upon graduation I was sent to the Evansville District where I still serve. I have been assigned to our Riot team, SWAT team, Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Honor Guard, High Performance Vehicle Operator (Mustang GT-Traffic Enforcement) and currently a Squad Leader for the Knox County Troopers.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
Yes - USAF. The Air Force taught me discipline, honor, respect, integrity. All very important aspects of a professional law enforcement officer. Without the military I would not be where I am today!
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 I was involved in a police action shooting in March 2005. After a lengthy pursuit the suspect crashed his car into a telephone pole, causing the pole to break off about 3' from the ground. The suspects car was sitting on top of the pole. As I was arriving I saw the car and immediately went into crash rescue mode. It took about two blinks of an eye to notice the driver of the crashed car was shooting at me and fellow officers. Before I could stop my car a bullet struck and penetrated my windshield. The bullet continued until it struck my shoulder and became lodged in my vest. The rest of the bullet went into my back seat where it became embedded in the foam near the trunk. The suspect was ultimately shot and killed.
I learned that day, first hand, that you can not help everybody. That there are people out there who want to kill us and we must be prepared for them all the time.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 Trooper of the Year award. It was awarded to me in 2007. It is an annual award for the Top Trooper of the state. I was most meaningful because of the 1200 Troopers in the State I was recognized by my peers for my efforts. It was truly humbling and a moment I will never forget.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
I had a Master Sergeant in the Air Force who was very old school. We deployed to Saudi Arabia together and no matter how hot and miserable it was he never complained. He was there for his troops anytime and every time they needed something. He was a true leader and I hope that I am half the leader to my troops as he was to me.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I am somewhat of a neat freak. I take great pride in making sure my uniform and car is perfect no matter what. One late night my shift partner and I went to a house suspected of drug abuse. As we pulled into the driveway alarms were sounding like crazy;  we were sure we were made. We continued on, exited out cars and started to walk toward the house. A man appeared out of nowhere with a miners light on his head and plastic gloves. As we began to talk to him the chemical odor was overwhelming. After asking him what that smell was he pulls out a bag of crack that would make any doper jealous. It took him a good 5 seconds to realize what he had just done and when he did the foot race was on. As I chased him around the barn, I thought I had found the end of the earth when we both fell down an embankment. When we hit the bottom we fought and after a few minutes he was handcuffed and ready to be checked out by the local medical squad.
When my partner and I took him over to the squad I notice the suspect is covered in mud but my buddy is spotless. After he stopped laughing at the caked mud over every inch of my uniform he had the balls to take a picture.
That's what shift partners are for, right???
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
To not forget our spouses. They have the hardest job in the law enforcement world. I never realized how bad they have it until my shooting. I can not imagine what it would be like to tell the one you love goodbye each day knowing there is a much better chance of getting hurt or killed than most all other professions.
WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S)?
 Indiana Troopers Alliance: They are our voice to relay our concerns to the top brass and even the Governors Office if needed. They also provide us legal assistance when required.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
I am much more observant and the first to notice when things don't seem right. I seem to point out the bad apples which has influenced relationships out side of the LE world.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
Watch your 6. 99.9% of the people out there need us and want us. But the .1% will take everything you have and you will never get it back. Treat everyone with respect but be ready to protect your life or someone else's life at any moment.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
It will connect Officers from all over the nation and is an excellent channel to communicate and be ourselves with our peers.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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For all current serving and veteran Police Officers, Together We Served is a secure, feature rich website enabling Officers to reconnect with lost Brothers and Sisters, share in the camaraderie of other Officers, network for professional purposes and to honor the service of all.
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we were sure we were made. We continued on, exited out cars and started to walk toward the house. A man appeared out of nowhere with a miners light on his head and plastic gloves. As we began to talk to him the chemical odor was overwhelming. After asking him what that smell was he pulls out a bag of crack that would make any doper jealous. It took him a good 5 seconds to realize what he had just done and when he did the foot race was on. As I chased him around the barn, I thought I had found the end of the earth when we both fell down an embankment. When we hit the bottom we fought and after a few minutes he was handcuffed and ready to be checked out by the local medical squad.
