Fired Will County Sheriff's Sniper Won His Job Back, But Has Lt. John Allen Returned To Sheriff's Facility?

JOLIET, IL — It's been two months since Joliet Patch broke another exclusive story on the plight of Johnathan Allen, the former Will County Sheriff's lieutenant and sniper who was fired by the administration of Sheriff Mike Kelley one year ago. Allen appealed last year's termination to a federal arbitrator who ruled in his favor in July.

"There is not a scintilla of evidence the grievant falsified or was in any way dishonest during the more than four years since the tragic events of May 10, 2022, and the employer was wise to refrain from bringing such a charge in this case. But for one incident involving a car accident, the grievant has enjoyed an exemplary and discipline free career with numerous commendations ... The grievance is sustained. The grievant, Johnathan Allen, shall be immediately reinstated to his
position as a Lieutenant with the Will County Sheriff’s Office with full back pay, including interest and lost overtime, payment for lost benefits, contributions to his retirement plans, and expungement of this matter from his official personnel file consistent with all public records law
in the State of Illinois," the federal arbitrator wrote.

On Friday, Will County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Elizabeth Matthews informed Joliet Patch that Lt. Allen still has not returned to work at the sheriff's office.

"We received the ruling July 8th and have 90 days to appeal, October 6th," she told Joliet Patch. "We've discussed the arbitrator's decision with legal counsel and are still exploring the process of appealing that decision."

Back in May 2022, 65-year-old Gregory Walker of Crest Hill was surrendering peacefully at the Fifth Third Bank in Romeoville after having a mental health crisis inside the bank. When he tried to surrender, he was fatally shot by mistake by Lt. Allen, the Will County Sheriff's sniper, who was on the perimeter of the property.

Allen's actions cost Will County taxpayers $2.75 million in an out-of-court federal lawsuit settlement with the plaintiff's attorney Ian Barney. Last July, the sheriff's office fired him following an extensive internal affairs investigation handled by outside personnel.

"This case has its origin in the tragic events which took place on May 10, 2022," the 33-page arbitration ruling begins. "On that date the grievant, Johnathan Allen, was the Team Leader of the Employer’s Sniper/SWAT team. A call came in that assistance was required at the Fifth Third Bank located at 275 Weber Road, Romeoville, Illinois due to a man inside the bank with a weapon holding hostages. The SWAT team reported to the bank location, and the grievant and his partner, Officer DiSalvo, took up a position from which he could observe the bank entrance and deploy his sniper rifle if necessary. After negotiations with the hostage team, the suspect Gregory Walker appeared to have placed his weapon down and entered the bank’s vestibule in the process of surrendering to the police on the scene.

"As Walker was in the vestibule, the grievant observed the suspect through his sniper’s scope, and believed that Walker was not in the process of surrendering in the fashion normally
ordered by SWAT. Out of concern for the safety of other officers, and in order to be prepared for what might occur next, the grievant moved the bolt forward into a 'bolt up' position on his Accuracy International AX .308 sniper rifle. The grievant, who is left-handed and was using a right-handed rifle, then moved the rifle’s bolt into the fire position with his right hand when the rifle suddenly discharged. The bullet passed through the glass door of the bank striking Mr. Walker in the chest resulting in a single, fatal round."

In the aftermath of the deadly bank shooting on Weber Road, the arbitrator's ruling explained, Lt. Allen was immediately taken to a local hospital for evaluation. He was then placed on paid administrative leave and eventually assigned as a lieutenant to desk duty on the midnight shift. He was prohibited from performing active patrol duties while various investigations into the tragic events of May 10, 2022, were conducted.

"He testified before a Will County grand jury for up to 9 hours; he answered questions posed to him during the Employer’s own internal investigation; and finally, he testified on direct and cross-examination before the arbitrator. The Special Grand Jury heard testimony from numerous witnesses, including the grievant, between October 31, 2024, and January 24, 2025. It unanimously determined that no probable cause existed to charge the grievant with a criminal offense. On January 27, 2025, the State’s Attorney for Will County issued a No Bill of Indictment. While that court filing terminated the pursuit of criminal charges against Lt. Allen, the Employer proceeded to open an internal investigation into the grievant’s conduct on May 10, 2025."