The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office proudly named the Sheriff’s Office Personnel Investigations Building in Yaphank after Inv. Sgt. Keith Allison yesterday in a ceremony led by Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. A 25 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, Inv. Sgt. Allison succumbed to complications from COVID-19 in December 2020.
Sheriff Toulon, Brenda Allison and Family, and SCCOA President Lou ViscusiThe ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and a rendition of the National Anthem by Correction officer Megan Adamo. Sheriff Toulon welcomed the crowd of about 100 people and spoke about his personal recollections of Inv. Sgt. Allison, as well as his reasons for naming the building in his honor. “Keith always shook my hand and asked me how I was doing, and wouldn’t let go of the handshake until I answered him. He truly cared about the people he met.”
Legislator Samuel Gonzalez, Suffolk County Correction Officer Association President Lou Viscusi, and Deputy Sheriff Police Benevolent Association President John Becker also shared their memories of Inv. Sgt. Allison. Finally, Inv. Sgt. Allison’s widow, Brenda Allison addressed the audience and asked them to remember that her husband was not only a member of the Sheriff’s Office, but a life-long member of the Brentwood community and a wonderful human being. “What I need everyone to remember from this day is not just my husband’s name written on a building, but when you see that name, I hope it inspires you to be the best human being you can be in this world," She said through her tears. "That is all that is going to matter in the everafter."
Inv. Sgt. Keith Allison started his career with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in 1995 and celebrated his 25th year of service in February 2020. After a short period of time as a correction officer at the Riverhead Correctional Facility, Inv. Sgt. Allison began working for the Personnel Investigations Bureau, conducting background investigations and interviews for new employees, both uniformed and civilian. He later became the Commanding Officer of the Personnel Investigations Bureau and was promoted to Investigator Sergeant in 2018. Because of his long tenure with the Personnel Investigations Bureau, Inv. Sgt. Allison helped many of the current Sheriff’s Office employees through the hiring process.
County Resolution 654, “Renaming the Sheriff’s Office Personnel Investigations Bureau Building in honor of Sergeant Keith Allison,” was sponsored by Legislator Samuel Gonzalez and signed by the County Executive on August 9th. The Resolution was co-sponsored by Presiding Officer Rob Calarco, Legislator Jason Richberg, and Legislator Nick Caracappa.
The Inv. Sgt. Keith Allison Personnel Investigations Building is located on Yaphank Avenue adjacent to the Board of Elections Building.