Steubenville Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Sunday, November 7, 1926
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 16
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 7, 1926
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1955
Patrolman Owen Burns was shot and killed at a home on South Water Street after responding to a disturbance call.
When he arrived at the scene, the man causing the disturbance shoved him down. He struck his head on a stove as he fell, allowing the suspect to gain control of his service weapon. As Patrolman Burns attempted to get up, the subject shot him.
The subject was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 11, 1926. He was paroled on June 22, 1955.
Patrolman Burns had served with the Steubenville Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and three sons.