FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Merced County Sheriff’s Office is calling on its community to support Former Deputy Sheriff Daryl Allen after his home was leveled and his family was hospitalized by a tornado.<\/p>\n
Daryl’s son Grayson stood in the wreckage after an EF-2 tornado, with winds reaching 135 miles per hour, swept through the Allen family’s North Texas neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Daryl and his family took shelter as the twister destroyed everything they owned.<\/p>\n
Aerial video shows their mobile home flipped on its side among a blanket of debris.<\/p>\n
Grayson described the terrifying aftermath, saying, “When everything was over, my brother had to dig my parents out of the debris. It was terrible. My dad has a fracture in his neck, my mom has a broken back, and my brother is doing fine right now.”<\/p>\n
The shock of what had happened was felt more than 1,500 miles away in the North Valley.<\/p>\n
Action News spoke to Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke about Daryl’s time with the department.<\/p>\n
A 17-year veteran, the Sheriff says his impact stands strong.<\/p>\n
“He started something, a trajectory for our office that has just blossomed because of his tenacity and his artistic nature. I’m hoping folks feel compelled to help out,” Sheriff Warnke said.<\/p>\n
Daryl also served as the department’s public information officer, tasked with informing his community on the toughest topics.<\/p>\n
His character outside the office was equally admired. Sheriff Warnke tells us Daryl moved to Texas to help his parents with their family business.<\/p>\n
“The fact is that he is a solid individual and one of the true family men. His boys were everything, and he doted on his wife,” the Sheriff said.<\/p>\n
Daryl and Rene have since been released from the hospital.<\/p>\n