A tribute for the late El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen was held Thursday evening.
More than 100 people showed up to pay their respects as Allen was lying-in-state at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center.
The remembrance ceremony started when Allen's casket was escorted inside the building by police while bagpipers played.
A large photo of Allen along with his police cap and boots were carried inside.
El Paso Police Department Chaplin Sam Faraone started by reading an opening prayer at the tribute.
"Everyone should have heroes in their lives. People that they look up to and respect, people that they can learn from, people that they want to emulate, their characteristics, people who just make you a better person for having them in your lives. Greg Allen was one of my heroes," said Faraone.
El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser spoke about the chief and the legacy that he left behind as the longest-serving chief in the city, "There will never be another Greg Allen."
Leeser said Allen led by example since his career in the police force started in 1978.
"I was talking to a couple of officers while we were outside and they said because of his leadership, even though the chief is not here with us today, the chief will always be with us," said Leeser.
Leeser presented Rossanne Allen with a plaque honoring her late husband.
"Star on the mountain, awarded and presented to Greg K. Allen number 646 chief of El Paso police. In recognition for the leadership and making El Paso the safest city in America and for remaining a safe city as we continue to grow. The City of El Paso will be forever grateful for your commitment and dedication and the love you make for our community and the safe place to raise our families. Chief Allen was an extraordinary El Pasoan, friend, and cared deeply for each one of us officers. May his love for his family, his family in blue, and for the El Paso community live and inspire us all. Chief we will always miss you and we love you," Leeser read from the plaque.
El Paso City Manager Tommy Gonzalez recalled the first time he met Allen and when he learned of Allen's top priorities including his commitment to his officers and the community.
Gonzalez highlighted that commitment through Allen's advocacy to improve the police department that once showed signs of "neglect."
Gonzalez said Allen pushed for more funding to recruit staff, more training including in the area of leadership for officers, better equipment checks and replacements, education opportunities for staff, better benefits to attract officers and health incentives for employees.
"Greg had a clear compass, he wanted us to be clear in our commitment and serve our community each day in our words, in our work and in our actions because Greg was a leader in action," said Gonzalez.
Senator Cesar Blanco said Allen carried "pride" through everything he did.
"It was that same pride that shaped him into the leader that he is and that he was. Forty-Five years on the police force, that is not an easy job. It takes commitment, it takes a lot of courage, and as Rossanne will tell you, and she can attest, that it takes a lot of sacrifice, but he did it. He did it because he wanted to keep our great city safe. The city that he grew up in, that he was proud of, he kept it safe," Blanco.
Sgt. Victor Vela, interim president of El Paso Municipal Police Association also spoke at the tribute and asked Allen's family to rise so guests could applaud them for sharing Allen with the community.
Vela then asked for those who were impacted, mentored, or scolded by chief Allen to stand up.
"Roasanne as you can see, almost everybody here is standing, and that is just a fraction of the impact chief Allen had on so many," said Vela.
Allen's wife spoke about her husband's love for martial arts.
While he was a police officer for 45 years, he was a martial artist for 59 years, she said.
She said martial arts shaped him to be the person he was.
"When we first married, Greg showed me this ghee in plastic and he kept it in our bottom draw and he asked that if anytime he didn't make it home from work that I should make sure that he is buried with this because martial arts gave him the life lessons of discipline and dedication that made him successful," Allen said.
Roland Bowling along with Sensei Taichi Hayashi spoke about Allen's dedication and passion for martial arts.
Allen achieved a very high standard in martial arts by obtaining his black belt and didn't stop there.
"Out of 10,000 students, only one percent makes it to black belt and he made it beyond black belt," said Hayashi.
He also went on to teach and inspired others, Bowling said.
"I loved Greg Allen as my teacher, as my inspiration, as my friend and as my brother. He left a void in my life, I shall attempt to fill it with memories of my training with you and your sage advice," Bowling.
Master Kirk McCune performed a ceremonial dance and tribute to a warrior for Allen.
The tribute ended with a benediction given by El Paso Police Department Chaplin David Mayfield.
"Almost everybody in the room knew chief Allen longer and better than I did. But I've known him long enough to know that he was a man worthy of respect," said Mayfield.
Guests then lined up to pay their respects standing before Allen's open casket.
Allen died unexpectedly on Jan. 17.
He was the first Black police chief for El Paso Police Department.
A funeral service for Allen will be held Friday at Abundant Church at 11 a.m. followed by a burial at Evergreen East Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
The community is asked to not bring flowers or gifts to the funeral services at Abundant Church.
Watch the full ceremony here:
RECOMMENDED: El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen dies
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.