Kansas Department of Corrections, Kansas
End of Watch: Thursday, October 5, 1905
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: October 4, 1905
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Officer Owens succumbed to injuries received the previous day when he was assaulted during an escape attempt. He had taken a prisoner outside of the state penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas, to do survey work. In an attempt to escape, the inmate struck Officer Owens in the chest, causing internal bleeding and triggering a heart attack.
The suspect, sent to prison in 1903 for stealing a car, was taken into custody and charged with Officer Owens' murder. In February of 1906 he was tried and acquitted.