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CIA legend Charles E. Allen is departing the Department of Homeland Security on Jan. 20, according to a colleague, drawing an end to a 50-year career in government intelligence work.

"Charlie," as he is universally known, joined the CIA in 1958 and spent the next 47 years climbing the ladder through a variety of analytical and managerial roles, culminating in his appointment as the agency's assistant director for collection.

In 2005 he joined DHS with the title of chief intelligence officer, the department's first, reporting directly to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. He is also its undersecretary for intelligence and analysis.

A source close to Allen, 72, said he would be retiring Jan. 20 and immediately report back to the CIA for its 90-day retirement debriefing process. He disclosed the news to his staff.

DHS spokesman William R. Knocke initially said he was not aware of Allen's retirement plans, but late Friday confirmed his departure on Jan. 20.

"Every American has benefited from Charlie's remarkable service, and we all owe him a deep debt of gratitude,"  Knocke said in a statement.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., called Allen "an unsung American hero."
 
"Although he will be returning to the CIA, his departure from DHS is a great loss," said Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in a statement.

Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif. who chairs the House Homeland Security subcommittee on intelligence, also praised Allen.

"Charlie Allen was legendary at the CIA, and his extensive experience proved invaluable in putting DHS's Intelligence & Analysis function on the map," Harman said.

"Now that the office is established, his successor needs to do some heavy lifting to ensure real participation by state and local personnel and far better two-way information sharing." 

In Dec. 2007 Chertoff awarded Allen, a native of North Carolina, the Secretary's Gold Medal, DHS' top employee award.

Lieberman said the nation is safer because of Allen's work as DHS intelligence chief.

"Our nation is more secure today as a result of his lifetime of service," Lieberman said. "He ... leaves the (intelligence) division in excellent readiness for his successor. I wish him the best of luck and warmest regards for the future."

But John Rollins, the first chief of staff of intelligence under DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, said Allen's legacy would be mixed.

"In all fairness, Charlie inherited an organization lacking focus, personnel, and resources," Rollins said.

But "many detractors will point to the Office of Intelligence's inability to provide timely and relevant terrorism related information to state, local and private sector entities."

"With that said," Rollins added, "my biggest concern is the office's continued lack of progress in cultivating and assessing domestic threat information. As the primary customer and contributor to DHS' mission, my hope is that individuals with state, local, and private sector experience will assume senior leadership positions in the Department, thus improving the quality of the Office of Intelligence's products and services."