After more than two decades of serving his community, a Lee County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant is now receiving support from the same community he has spent years protecting.

Lt. Mitch Allen has dedicated more than 21 years to public safety and currently serves with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He also spent 18 years on the Lee County SWAT Team, trained fellow officers as a hazardous materials and firearms instructor, and has given back to local families by coaching travel softball.

Now, Allen is facing a battle of his own.

In March 2025, Allen was diagnosed with oral cancer. Two months later, on May 13, 2025, he underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove part of his jawbone and several teeth.

Doctors reconstructed his jaw using bone from his leg and performed a skin graft to rebuild his gum.

Allen then faced 30 rounds of radiation treatment. The treatments made eating extremely painful, and for a period of time, he had to rely on liquid meals for nutrition.

Despite the difficult months of surgery, radiation, pain and recovery, Allen continued to fight.

When he completed radiation treatments, fellow Lee County Sheriff’s Office employees lined the hallway to celebrate as he rang the bell marking the end of his treatment.

The moment marked the end of one chapter of Allen’s cancer journey, but his recovery is not yet complete.

Allen’s jaw is still healing, and he will need additional surgery before dental implants can be placed. If his recovery continues as planned, he hopes to receive permanent dental implants in the fall of 2026.

According to the East Alabama Public Safety Foundation, Allen’s insurance has denied coverage for the implants, classifying them as “cosmetic,” despite the fact that his teeth and part of his jaw were lost as a result of cancer treatment.

The effects of Allen’s cancer battle have also impacted his career in law enforcement.

After 18 years on the Lee County SWAT Team, Allen was forced to step away from the team. The bone used during his jaw reconstruction was taken from his leg, requiring eight weeks of physical therapy.

The lasting effects of his treatment prevented Allen from passing the physical agility test required to remain on the SWAT Team.

The East Alabama Public Safety Foundation is now working to help Allen cover the cost of his dental implants and other related medical expenses.

The foundation says Allen has spent more than two decades protecting his community, training fellow officers, coaching young athletes and serving others whenever he was needed.
Now, community members are being asked to return that support.

“Every donation, no matter the amount, will help,” the foundation said. Those who are unable to donate are also encouraged to share the fundraiser to help spread the word.

The fundraising effort is intended to help Allen complete the next stage of his recovery and restore the smile he lost during his fight with cancer.

The East Alabama Public Safety Foundation is dedicated to strengthening public safety through law enforcement training, education, community programs and outreach.

For more information about how to support Lt. Mitch Allen and his recovery, visit the East Alabama Public Safety Foundation’s fundraiser: https://www.eapublicsafety.org/fundraiser.