Thousands gather to say goodbye to fallen Lt. Aaron Allan
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A day of events honoring slain Southport police Lt. Aaron Allan were held Saturday, beginning with a police procession accompanying him to where his public funeral took place.
A police escort, made up of dozens of law enforcement officers, began early Saturday morning, taking Allan from Crown Hill Funeral Home to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Allan was an Indianapolis resident since the age of one and graduated from Decatur Central High School in 1997.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1999 and was medically discharged after becoming ill.
He had been with the Southport Police Department for six years and spent a total of 17 years with law enforcement.
Lt. Aaron Allan remembered at service
An estimated 2,000 people gathered at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to remember Allan’s life. Attendees included law enforcement members from all across the nation.
Dignitaries in attendance included Gov. Eric Holcomb, Sen. Joe Donnelly, Southport Mayor Russell McClure and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
“Indiana has lost a hero,” Holcomb said.
“Godspeed, Lt. Aaron Allan. You are irreplaceable, and you will be missed,” said McClure.
The Reba McEntire song “Back to God” was played during the service. The country music legend referenced the song being played.
Four of Allan’s friends from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office remembered Allan, calling him their “rock,” and saying he was “the best friend a man could ever want.”
Lt. Bryan Wolfe with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office sang “Amazing Grace/The Policeman’s Tribute” at the service.
Final 10-42 at Southport Police Department
Dozens of people gathered at the Southport Police Department to pay their final respects to Allan.
A smiling portrait of Allan was placed in front of the Southport Police Department.
Those lined up outside the police department tried to say what they could about a man who lost his life trying to save another.
“It’s tough, you feel guilty knowing that we’re there to tuck our kids in every night, and now his kids won’t have him to tuck them in,” said Kari Decker, who husband is a police officer.
When the procession arrived at the police department, Allan’s final 10-42 was held. When an officer ends his or her shift, the officer announces their end of duty over the radio. The silence as the squad car leading Allan’s procession arrived was broken only by a dispatcher giving Lt. Allan’s final radio call:
On July 27, 2017, Southport Police Department Lt. Aaron W. Allan answered his final call while rendering aid to an accident victim. Lt. Allan was shot multiple times and killed. There is no greater love than a man who would lay down his life for another. Southport Police Department Lt. Aaron W. Allan Southport 10, this 10-42 — he has gone home for the final time.”
Lt. Allan laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery Heroes of Public Safety
Outside Crown Hill Cemetery, mourners began lining 34th Street hours before the procession arrived. The street also featured the ceremonial garrison flag.
Once he arrived at his final resting place, Allan’s casket was transferred from the coach to the caisson. Bells tolled to signify the start of the funeral procession.
A riderless horse with boots reversed in stirrups traveled behind the caisson that took Allan into the cemetery.
Allan was buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery Heroes of Public Safety section.