By Christopher Dornblaser
Source Bucks County Courier Times, Levittown, Pa.
Last week, Ryan Allen, a longtime Hatboro police officer and Bucks County native, was stung by a bee, which caused a severe reaction sending him to a local hospital.
Six days later, he remained at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia in stable, but critical condition.
The community is rallying behind Allen, who, along with his K-9 Louie, are considered a "fixture" in the borough.
"We're just so grateful for the support," his wife, Whitney Allen, said Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Ryan Allen was still sedated. His wife said he had been sedated since he was hospitalized.
He was stung by a bee at his Bucks County home Thursday, Oct. 14.
Whitney Allen said her husband was stung in the kitchen of their home. He then told her he wasn't feeling well.
He went to his stoop outside and passed out while she was calling 911. She said she began doing compressions on him before an ambulance showed up.
Ryan Allen was taken by ambulance to Doylestown Hospital before being transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia. Whitney Allen said her husband has no history of being allergic to bees.
"It's kind of a sudden, unique event," Chief James Gardner said.
The Montgomery County Hero Fund, which is used to provide immediate and ongoing relief to police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and military personnel during times of crisis, is helping Ryan Allen's family.
Gardner said the department and the Allen family appreciate the support of the community, including the hero fund.
"If anyone deserves it, it's him," his wife said. "He's just such a hardworking guy."
The Hatboro chief shared similar thoughts.
"Ryan is a big part of our department," he said.
He helped kickstart the K-9 program, is the department's first aid and CPR instructor and is the field training officer for new recruits.
"He's just a solid police officer," Gardner said of Allen, who has been with the department since 2013.
The chief praised Allen for how he handles the department's only K-9, Louie. The K-9 has been with the department since 2019.
Gardner said Louie is a very good police working dog that is great with interacting with the community.
"Ryan's life revolves around A — his family, and B — Louie and the department," he said. "He really is that dedicated."
The chief said he hopes to have Allen back sooner rather than later.
His wife thanked all those who have helped out or reached out to her family in the days since he was hospitalized.
"I am grateful, and I know he would be as well," she said.
Those who wish to to donate to the Montgomery County Hero Fund may do so here, https://montgomerycountyherofund.org/donate.
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