Muhlenberg County’s sheriff died unexpectedly Tuesday morning.
A post on the agency’s Facebook page said in part, “It is with great sadness and disbelief that the Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Office informs you of the death of our leader and friend, Sheriff Ricki Allen. He was only our Sheriff for a short time, but he had cared about and served the people of Muhlenberg County for most all of his adult life …”
Allen, 53 (some media outlets listed his age as 52, others 53), served as sheriff beginning January 2019, after previously serving as a Kentucky State Trooper and Muhlenberg County School Resource Officer. In total, he spent 27 years in law enforcement.
“He was, in my opinion, a five-star sheriff in every capacity,” Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Curtis McGehee said. “He, above all things, was known as a gentleman.”
McGehee said he was told Allen suffered a heart attack, but the official cause of death has not yet been established. Kentucky State Police, the agency investigating Allen’s death, according to media reports, said foul play is not suspected.
(Photo of Sheriff Ricki Allen (back left) and family courtesy of Facebook)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
