safety
Allen police internship reunites sergeant with officer's son a decade later
Summary by The Fort Worth Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Shannon Miller , NBC DFW
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
A summer internship with the Allen Police Department has become a full-circle moment for an aspiring officer and the sergeant who unknowingly helped shape his future. Cody Shimkus, a soon-to-be senior at the University of Alabama, said he had to convince his parents to let him take the internship. B
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Fort Worth Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Shannon Miller, NBC DFW Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Cody Shimkus, a soon-to-be senior at the University of Alabama, said he had to convince his parents to let him take the internship.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The reunion between Sgt. Lawrence Williams and Cody Shimkus in Allen is a testament to the close-knit nature of the law enforcement community in North Texas. As the fifth-largest city in Texas, Fort Worth, and its neighboring cities like Allen, have a unique opportunity to foster relationships between experienced officers and aspiring ones. The fact that Shimkus is considering applying to the Allen Police Academy after graduating from the University of Alabama speaks to the allure of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for young professionals in law enforcement. With the Fort Worth Police Department and Tarrant County government playing a significant role in regional public safety, the experiences of officers like Williams and Shimkus can inform and shape the future of policing in the area. As Shimkus navigates his career path, his connection to Williams and the Allen Police Department may ultimately influence his decision to stay in the metroplex and serve the community.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A summer internship with the Allen Police Department has become a full-circle moment for an aspiring officer and the sergeant who unknowingly helped shape his future. Cody Shimkus, a soon-to-be senior at the University of Alabama, said he had to convince his parents to let him take the internship. B
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Shannon Miller at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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