Richard W. Allen was the assistant principal of Pinellas Park High School in Largo, Florida. He was a longtime (18 year) respected teacher, coach and administrator. On February 11, 1988 as children chatted and enjoyed their lunch, the sound of gunfire silenced the lunchroom. A 15 year-old with a stolen firearm had opened fired in the lunchroom while at the same time another 15 year-old had shot two assistant principals and a student teacher. Richard passed 6 days later of a gunshot wound to the head.

To help honor Richard Allen