Birmingham Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 2004
Add to My HeroesCarlos Winston Owen
Officer Owen, Officer Harley Chisholm, and Officer Robert Bennett were shot and killed at approximately 1:30 pm while serving a warrant at a home near 18th Street and Avenue P, in the Ensley area of the city.
The three victim officers, along with a fourth officer, went to the one-story row house that contained several apartments with a warrant for the arrest of a man on a misdemeanor assault charge. Officer Owen and Officer Chisholm entered the apartment through the back door intending to arrest the man.
The subject broke away from them and ran toward the front of the house where Officer Bennett was about to come through the front door. One of the two men inside then opened fire with an automatic SKS rifle, killing all three officers and wounding the fourth officer.
The shooter and several other suspects were taken into custody near the scene by a tactical team a short time later.
Two of the arrested men were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. One of them was executed on March 5th, 2020.
Officer Owen had served with the Birmingham Police Department for 26 years and was assigned to the West Precinct. He is survived by his wife, five children, and nine grandchildren.
Bio
- Age 58
- Tour 26 years
- Badge 1770
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; SKS
- Offender Executed in 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 245 ReflectionsCarlos was one of the best street officers I ever knew, I learned alot from Carlos. I would sit and talk to Carlos almost everyday in the early 1990's. I remember at the funeral Chief Anita Nunn ask the officers in the room that had been trained by Carlos to stand up. I was amazed at the number officers that stood up. Carlos passed on his knowledge, experience and integrity to a generation of officers that will pass those same values down to several generations of officers. Carlos was my friend and will be remembered.
Sgt. Jeff Shelton
Coffee County Sheriff's Office
March 8, 2020
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