Toccoa Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Monday, February 26, 1940
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 26, 1940
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1955
Patrolman William Owens was shot and killed as he and two other officers were questioning a robbery suspect on a city sidewalk. Another officer was shot in the arm. The suspect shot the third officer, who would have probably been killed, had the bullet not been deflected off the metal badge on his hat.
The suspect, 19, was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on December 10, 1955.
Patrolman Owens was survived by his wife and two children.