There will be a public tribute taking place in downtown El Paso for long time, and beloved, police chief Greg Allen.

It will take place this Thursday, January 26th. Local residents will have the opportunity to thank Chief Allen, or offer condolences to his family, by offering hand-written or electronic notes at the public memorial.

Allen will be lying in state allowing the public to pay their respects at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center beginning at 5pm. According to the city of El Paso, the remembrance ceremony will begin at 6pm with guest speakers, and will end at 9pm.

Free parking will be available at the convention center and Union Plaza Parking Garage.

Residents, businesses, and government offices are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has authorized all flags to do so in El Paso County in honor of Allen, and Mayor Oscar Leeser confirmed that will happen until sunset this Thursday.

Chief Allen passed away last week after a routine surgery, he was 71. Allen first joined the police force in 1978 and has been chief since 2008.

There will be an additional, private funeral that will take place on Friday, January 27th, at the Abundant Living Faith Center located at 1000 Valley Crest Drive.

Doors will open at 10 am, and the funeral will begin at 11. It will be followed by a procession at Evergreen East Cemetery, located at 12400 Montana Ave, beginning at 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon.

Shortly after becoming police chief, Greg Allen helped the Buzz Adams Morning Show pull off one of the greatest April Fools' pranks ever. Click here to see how it all went down, and how Allen helped put El Paso on the national map for nothing other than a bunch of laughs.

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