Kansas City Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 23, 1947
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: December 23, 1947
Weapon Used: Blunt object
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman James Owens was struck in the head and killed by a psychiatric patient who was trying to escape from his cell at General Hospital No.2 at 22nd Street and McCoy Avenue (now Kenwood Avenue).
The 32-year-old subject had been committed to the hospital six days earlier after his family complained they were unable to control him. Patrolman Owens went into the subject's room, attempting to calm him down when he became violent. The subject had broken out of his straight jacket and torn out his ventilator. Patrolman Haskins moved aside a chair to help subdue him when he was hit in the left side of his face. Patrolman Owens succumbed to his injuries.
Patrolman Owens was a United States World War I Army veteran and had served with the Kansas City Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife.