The Tom Allman Family

The Allman family moved to Garberville in 1976, where Tom ’s dad worked as an accountant and his mother taught school.

At South Fork High School in Miranda, Tom was Student Body President and a very active tuba player in the band. By age 18 Tom was a volunteer firefighter for the Garberville Volunteer Fire Department. After briefly attending Chico State, he enrolled in Butte Community College to become a fireman.

Tom Allman … 1981--2006: 25 Years in Law Enforcement

While still in college, Tom got a job as a Public Safety Officer in Fairfield, CA. Upon graduating from the Santa Rosa Police Academy in 1981 he became a full time officer for the Fairfield Public Safety Department. After three years in Fairfield, Tom applied to become a Deputy Sheriff with Mendocino County. Tom was assigned as a Resident Deputy in Laytonville where he worked for 2 years. He was reassigned to the Narcotics Task Force to work on what he believes is the number one problem in Mendocino County... Methamphetamine abuse.

Beginning in 1987, Tom was an undercover agent with the Narcotics Task Force where he conducted numerous “sting ” operations and arrested dozens of dealers. In the Fall of 1989, Tom was back on the street in Willits as a patrol deputy and studying for the Sergeant ’s exam. Working with several local school districts, Tom has continued his strong drive of identifying people using meth and working to track down the sources. In 1993 Sheriff Jim Tuso awarded Tom his Sergeant’s stripes. The years working for Sheriff Tuso meant a lot to Tom. “I am honored to have his endorsement.” In December of 1998, Sheriff Tuso promoted Tom to “Acting Lieutenant.” Sheriff Tuso’s successor, Tony Craver, made it official by promoting Tom to Lieutenant in March of 1999. “I’m honored to have Sheriff Craver’s endorsement as well.” Today Tom is the Commander of the North County Substation.

Family Life – Equal Parts Love, Hard Work and Fun

In 1983, Tom met Laura at a community “pot luck.” They were married the next year and this year, they will celebrate their 22nd anniversary. Laura has worked in the banking industry since she was 16 and is the Operations Officer for Bank of Willits, as well as being a full-time “wife and mom.” Tom and Laura have two boys: Adam and Joshua. They are very active in football, baseball, and wrestling. Adam is currently a Freshman at Willits High School and Joshua is in 7th grade. The family lives on a small 10 acre ranch in Willits where they raise cows, chickens, 4-H pigs and laugh a lot during their regular evening family meals.

Mendocino County Needs a Sheriff Like Tom Allman

Mendocino County needs a Sheriff who is committed personally and professionally – not just to maintaining the departments high standards – but to making them better.

Tom Allman … Making Things Better … Knows No Borders

In October of 1999, Tom was given permission to take one year of unpaid leave to work in The Former Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo) under the banner of the United Nations, as a civilian police officer. “During his year in Kosovo, he learned that law enforcement does not have to be “Us against them.” In March of 2005, following the disastrous Tsunami that ravaged a large portion of South East Asia, Tom joined a group of Rotarians on a trip together to the village of TamilNadu in Southern India. Over a period of three weeks, the Rotary group built an orphanage for 200 tsunami victims, ages 2 to 14. In September of 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast and wiped out thousands of homes. Tom used several weeks of his vacation time and traveled to New Orleans to help the victims. Tom was assigned as a Team Leader and led 16 other peace officers.