Louie Fredrick Allen

Louie Fredrick Allen, 74, of Troy, New York died suddenly on Friday, October 15, 2021, at Samaritan Hospital.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, on February 10, 1947, Louie was the son of the late Theodore Allen and Emma J. Rhodes. He was the loving husband to Margaret ‘Peggie’ A. Mollnow Allen. Louie was a graduate of Pittsburgh schools, including obtaining a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 and 1976.

From an early age, Louie was drawn to serving humanity. In August of 1965, during the Vietnam War, he was called to serve his country. Louie joined the United States Air Force, where he served and rose to the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged in January 1969. In October of that same year, Louie continued his dedication to serve, graduating from the Pittsburgh Police Academy and joining the Pittsburgh Police Department, where he rose to the rank of Detective.

In 1978, Louie joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his 25-year tenure with the FBI, he served in numerous roles and capacities in various field offices including: Supervisor, Counterterrorism Division, Washington, DC; Bureau Chief, Cleveland OH; Special Agent in Charge, Albany NY; and Special Agent in Charge, Newark, NJ. While assigned to FBI Headquarters, he was responsible for contingency plans and emergency response for special events such as the 1988 Democratic and Republican National Conventions and the 1989 Presidential Inauguration. As Bureau Chief of the Cleveland field office, he implemented the Racketeer Influence and Corruption Organization (RICO) Act—then a new investigative tool of the federal government—to take down several prominent Cleveland area mobsters in “OperationBusmark,” which led to 25 federal and 20 state convictions of high-profile mob figures. As Special Agent in Charge of the Albany field office, Louie oversaw operations for the majority of the New York State and the entire State of Vermont during a period including the September 11th attacks; and as Special Agent in Charge in Newark, he supervised 300 agents until his retirement. 

Following his retirement from the FBI in 2004, Louie’s expertise and steadfast dedication to law enforcement led him to accept the position as Chief of Detectives for the Prosecutor’s Office of Essex County, New Jersey. He held this position until 2007, when he moved to the Capital Region to marry the love of his life, Peggie. Louie also brought his expertise to New York State government, accepting a position working as the Director of Internal Affairs for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. In January 2010, Louie added yet another accomplishment to his remarkable professional career when was named the first African American Sergeant at Arms for the New York Senate.

Louie was a beloved Brother and Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he was initiated via the Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter (serving the Prince William & Fairfax Counties of Virginia) on May 20, 1988. Louie maintained an active membership in Alpha for over 30 years and was most recently a member and Past President (2014-17) of the Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany, NY. As Chapter President, Louie’s wit, wisdom, and perseverance was instrumental in expanding the chapter’s youth programs and growing the George Biddle Kelley Education Foundation, where he served for many years as a board member and member of Scholarship Committee. 

Louie was a true renaissance man who had an affinity for reading a myriad of books across genres. Louie was a dedicated sports fan, especially to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, and used his love of sports to mentor young people. As a man who travelled across the world, including an annual trip to Aruba with his beloved wife Peggie, Louie consistently found joy by spending time with his family and friends over a savory meal that almost always included chicken.

In addition to his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Louie was a member of several organizations including a former member of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of PA, Star of the West #62; the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); the American Society for Industrial Security; County Detectives Association of New Jersey; New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory; and past member of the International, New York State, and New Jersey State Associations of Chiefs of Police.

Louie Fredrick Allen, a dedicated and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Mentor, Protector, and Servant of all Mankind, is survived by his wife, Peggie; sons, Deputy Sheriff Christopher B. Allen and Jonathan F. Allen, both of Cleveland, OH; his grandchildren, Christopher B. Allen, Jr., Sydney N. Allen, Brandon L. Allen, Sophia A. Allen; his siblings, Richard C. Rhodes, Jr. and Dawn Allen; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Theodore B. Jones. 

Louie’s smile and loving heart will forever be a beacon of light for all.

Services will be held on Friday, October 22nd at St. John’s Church of God in Christ, 74 Fourth Avenue, Albany, NY 12202. Visitation begins at 10AM. The funeral service will begin at 11AM Face masks are required. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the George Biddle Kelley Foundation, P.O. Box 14692, Albany, NY 12212 or electronically via www.gbkfoundation.org/donate.

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