By Jalayne Robinson, LMSW
TDCAA Victim Services Director
In our modern-day lives, where many hours are spent together with colleagues, workplaces become more than just a job we go to every day; they are a place where others become like second family. A work community. Then when a dear coworker passes away, the loss resonates deeply.
We continue to mourn the loss of Allison Attles-Bowen, victim assistance coordinator in Tarrant County and the Chair of the Key Personnel– Victim Services Board. Several from the prosecutor community have shared their heartfelt tributes:
Phil Sorrells
Criminal District Attorney in Tarrant County
Our office was incredibly fortunate to have benefited from the dedication, determination, and, most importantly, friendship of Allison Attles- Bowen over the course of her decade-long service with our office. She led a team of unsung heroes, and she was their hero—serving not just as a supervisor, but also as a mentor, steadfast leader, and source of unwavering support. Her staff knew that they could always count on her, especially in the most challenging and demanding aspects of their work. Allison was a blessing and she had a remarkable gift for giving of herself to others.
She was a constant source of calm and compassion for the victims and survivors she served. She, along with the incredible employees on her team, became the emotional backbone for so many individuals navigating the hardest times in their lives. The work they do is never easy, and it takes a special kind of person to lead and support those giving everything they have to help others. Allison was that person.
Her wealth of experience—working with the homeless, victims of physical and sexual assault, and the disabled—was evident in everything she did. She was a true advocate for those who had often been overlooked or forgotten, dedicating her life to alleviating the suffering of others.
Allison was one of a kind—an extraordinary leader, mentor, and friend. Her absence will be felt deeply, but her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched.
Cece Jones
Victim Assistance Coordinator in Tarrant County
It was an honor to have Allison as a director, mentor, and friend for a little over 10 years. She created a supportive and safe environment here in Victim Services at the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, which I am forever grateful for. Through her years of service, Allison touched countless lives, providing a voice for many and ensuring that victims were heard, supported, and empowered. Her tireless dedication and boundless kindness will leave a lasting mark on the communities she served. Her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
Beyond her advocacy, Allison was a beacon of warmth, inspiration, and light. She had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and understood. Her spirit of generosity and her passion for helping others defined her life’s work, which inspired so many of us. Though she is no longer with us, Allison’s legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the hearts she comforted, and the change she helped create. Her memory will forever remind us of the power of kindness, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of justice. Allison was a bright light in this world, and she will be deeply missed.
Carrie Farley
Victim Assistance Coordinator in Tarrant County
It is with deep respect and admiration that I remember Allison Bowen. She was a dedicated leader who cared about her team, coworkers, community, and all the people she served through Victim Services. She served with kindness, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility, and she inspired us to do the same. Her door was always open to seek guidance or share a concern, and you could always count on her for wisdom, along with a story or a laugh. And her laughter was spectacular! Allison lit up every room she entered and was one of the most delightful people I have ever known, and I will miss her greatly. My condolences to her family.
Carma Anderson
Victim Assistance Coordinator in Tarrant County
Allison Bowen was an inspiration to me. As my supervisor, she was the best boss I have ever had. Her door was always open, she was an active listener, she gave constructive criticism, and she never hesitated to give compliments. She encouraged her team to come to her with solutions, not problems. She made us think outside the box. “Assess, assess, assess” was one of her favorite responses to us when assisting victims. She had a vision of a collective unit of resources working together across the county to aid victims of crime. This resulted in her convening quarterly meetings between us and the victim assistants in the police departments across the county. She understood the emotional weight her team carried when engaging with our victims and allowed us space to have our dark humor and to cry when we needed to.
Adina Morris
Victim Assistance Coordinator and Legal Assistant in Palo Pinto County
I remember the day I met Allison. It was at TDCAA’s KP–VS Board meeting. She sat next to me. I introduced myself and by the end of the meeting, we were signed up to be co-presenters at the KP & VAC conference that year. Allison told me, “You and I are going to be great friends!” Boy, was she right.
Fast forward several months and several meetings and hangouts later. She called me one day to tell me that she had a new term to use, not only in our presentation, but also in our relationship: BPF: Best Professional Friend! I loved it. That is exactly what she was to me and more. She was kind, supportive, and patient, and she was a light to all who knew her. I will strive every day to be like she was in the lives of the people in my life, and I hope that I can be even half of what she was.
I will not mourn the loss of Allison in my life, because as short as it was, it was a blessing. I will cherish every memory with my dear BPF.
Colleen Jordan
Director, Victim Services Division in Harris County
I was absolutely heartbroken to hear of Allison’s untimely passing. Allison reached out to me when she first became the Director of Victim Services for the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office to collaborate on best practices. Since that time, we would contact each other with questions, ideas, and suggestions. I always looked forward to seeing Allison at the Victim Impact Statement Revision Committee meetings. She was someone I admired and trusted, and she had such a kind heart. I will miss her dearly. Rest in peace, Allison.
Cyndi Jahn
Former Victim Services Director in Bexar County (retired)
I’m honored to be included in this memorial to Allison Attles-Bowen. I met Allison through TDCAA and the KP–VS Board. I didn’t get to see her that often, mostly during TDCAA functions, but she contributed so much to our profession. She brought such a sense of strength to our group.
Allison was a fabulous teacher and presenter. She had such an impactful way of sharing her vast knowledge of victim services with her peers. Personally, she was everything you need in a friend: funny, compassionate, honest, and trustworthy. I feel her loss, but I am not alone in this. I know her family and friends feel the same. The advocates with whom she served at the Tarrant County CDA’s Office must feel her loss daily. The victims she served there may never know how fortunate they were to have had her assistance during their time in the criminal justice system.
Allison left us all too soon. I pray healing mercies for her children and family members. I know they will keep her spirit alive through their memories of Allison. We as her victim services family must do the same as we serve the victims we encounter daily. Allison would expect nothing less from us. Carry on in this important work you have been entrusted to do, with a true servant’s heart, in Allison’s honor and memory!
Jalayne Robinson
TDCAA Director of Victim Services
Allison Bowen was such an inspiration and devoted friend to me. Although we did not work together on a daily basis like many who have submitted tributes in her memory, nor am I one of the many crime victims Allison assisted, I recall when Allison was there for me in my time of need. During our Key Personnel & Victim Assistance Coordinator Conference in November 2023, my husband became ill back home after complications from a recent surgery. Though my husband assured me he would be fine until I could get back home, Allison was right there to offer me support. She came to my hotel room, and we sat in our pajamas until late that night while Allison helped me through a time when I was torn between work life and family life—as we all are from time to time. Allison always knew exactly when to listen and when to simply be present. Her greatest gift was making everyone feel like they mattered.
Victim services consultations
As the Victim Services Director at TDCAA, my primary responsibility is to assist Texas prosecutors, VACs, and other prosecutor office staff in providing support services for crime victims in their jurisdictions. I am available to provide training and technical assistance to you via phone, by email, in person, or via Zoom. I can tailor individual or group training specifically for your needs. The training and assistance are free of charge.
Are you a new VAC? This training would be perfect for you! To schedule a free consultation, please email me at Jalayne.Robinson@tdcaa .com. Many offices across Texas are taking advantage of this free training.