Allen Dale Dugger

1934 - 2025

Allen Dale Dugger passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Joe Farris "Dick" Dugger and Marguerite Dugger, sister Dena Atwood, and brother Joe Dugger. Left to celebrate his wonderful life and miss him forever are his wife Barbara Dugger, son Danny Stanfield, daughter D'Anna Tindal, son Duke Dugger and wife Tracey Dugger. Grandchildren Jack Tindal, Dayna Lisk, Austin and Dane Dugger. Great-grandchildren Oaklen and Blakely. Brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and Sandy Parker and sister-in-law JoNell Holmes, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will also be sorely missed by his many friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched.

Dale was born in Henderson, TX on August 23, 1934. He then moved to Marshall, TX and attended school there from first grade through his freshman year in high school. The family then moved to Pasadena, TX where Dale graduated from Pasadena High School in 1953.

After high school Dale joined the United States Army towards the tail end of the Korean Conflict and served for three-years finishing with an honorable discharge. Upon returning home, he attended the University of Houston, while working full-time for Sheffield Steel. During this time, he applied for and was accepted to join the Houston Police Department on April 28, 1958, Academy Class #18. Throughout his career, he was assigned to the Central Division, Vice Division, Criminal Intelligence Division, and finally the Air Support Division.

Dale enjoyed an illustrious career in law enforcement, and he was a cop until the very end. While in Vice, he was shot twice in the line of duty and received the first two Blue Hearts issued by the City of Houston. His time in the Vice Division saw him successfully prevent the mafia from setting up a stronghold at the Port of Houston, leaving Houston as the only major port city the mafia did not control. He transferred from the Vice Division to the Criminal Intelligence Division where he was assigned to the Harris County Organized Unit, formed from Greater Houston Area police departments.

During his time in the Organized Crime Unit, Dale grew to become the country's foremost authority on organized motorcycle gangs. He traveled the US and Canada giving lectures and instructing other law enforcement agencies on how to combat these various groups. His efforts culminated in him writing a handbook which was distributed to all new incoming FBI agents, and a 60 Minutes interview with Geraldo Rivera.

Besides catching crooks, Dale enjoyed several other pursuits. He, along with Bill Bailey, Joe Polichino Jr., and Jim Archer became the founding members of the BBQ Cook-Off at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. What started out as a 17 team contest has grown to become the world's largest BBQ competition, with almost 300 teams. Dale was also a Freemason and Shriner and served as Worshipful Master of Wimberley Lodge #1445. He was active in the Texas Powerboat Performance Squadron and helped to organize countless poker runs and other fundraising events. He also enjoyed membership in the Executive Hunting Club where he was surrounded by others who also lived life to the fullest.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chapel in the Hills, 14601 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, Texas 78676 on Saturday, May, 24, 2025 beginning at 11:00a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chapel in the Hills Church.