Fallen Nash deputy remembered for his dedication to service

Deputy Jared Allison, 26, died Tuesday of injuries he suffered in a Thanksgiving night crash while pursuing a speeding motorcyclist on U.S. Highway 301.

His funeral Friday at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount included all of the elements of a military hero's send-off. A horse-drawn caisson carried his flag-draped casket to the church, were an honor guard helped take it inside. A 21-gun salute concluded the two-hour service.

"Not one moment from the time he was at that accident scene to this moment here has he been left, by his side, [without] a Nash County deputy," Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said. "That's the least we can do."

Service was in Allison's blood. The Army veteran had been with the Nash County Sheriff's Office for two years, and his father and grandfather were also law enforcement officers.

"He was concerned about others over himself, and unfortunately, his sacrifice showed that," said Scott Allison, the deputy's father.

James Allison noted that his grandson had given up his Thanksgiving holiday to protect Nash County residents.

"That's the life of a police officer. We protect and serve," he said. "Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they're out protecting the public."

Those closest to him said Jared Allison had a great love for animals and his department. But his first priority in life was his wife, Brenae, and his 9-year-old son, Colt.

"I ask that members who worked with Jared continue to speak his name so that he is not forgotten," Scott Allison said.

Dozens of uniformed law enforcement officers from across the state attended, and Scott Allison thanked them for coming and urged them to take every precaution while on the job.

"Do whatever you have to do to go home at the end of the day. That's what matters," he said.