The town of Collierville is mourning the loss of Jeff Abeln, the Assistant Police Chief who served the community for more than three decades. Abeln passed away on Monday at St. Francis Hospital as confirmed by the Collierville Police Department (CPD). With a tenure that spanned 37 years, his passing is not only leaving a void in the police department but also in the many community organizations he impacted, including the Main Street Collierville Board of Trustees and the Town's Environmental and Town Beautiful Commissions.
In his time with the CPD, Abeln was not merely a law enforcement officer; he was esteemed as a "mentor, a leader, and a friend to many within the department and the community at large," according to WREG. His contributions extended beyond their immediate impact, leaving an indelible mark that the CPD declared etched into the fabric of our community. Even as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army for three years before his service in Collierville, he placed his duties toward the safety and development of his surroundings with unwavering commitment.
Remembered for his dedicated service to the town, CPD Chief Dale Lane said, "Jeff was a loving husband, proud father, and a loyal friend to many. We are all better because of his influence," in a statement noted by Local Memphis. The CPD has asked the community to keep Abeln's family in their thoughts during this time of loss.
Honoring his long-standing role, Lane further stated that "Assistant Chief Abeln gave over 37 years of honorable service to the Town of Collierville. He was a vital part of our CPD family and modeled what it meant to be a professional police officer," as was reported by FOX13 Memphis. The assistant chief's official cause of death has not been immediately shared with the public. The department has called on the community to stand with the grieving family and department, reflecting on the shared loss they collectively bear.
