Kentucky Department of Corrections, Kentucky
End of Watch Wednesday, July 18, 1956
Add to My HeroesOwen Davenport
Lieutenant Owen Davenport was stabbed to death in the prison yards of the Kentucky State Penitentiary.
The 23-year-old inmate, serving a five year sentence for a 1954 larceny conviction, stabbed Lieutenant Davenport in the throat with a home-made knife. He said he was high on smuggled drugs and had know memory of the incident. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in 1958. On May 4, 1967, he and three other inmates were charged with holding a guard hostage at knifepoint in an effort to escape from Eddyville State Penitentiary.
Lieutenant Davenport had served with the Kentucky Department of Corrections for 13 years.
Bio
- Age 57
- Tour 13 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsHe was my maternal grandfather. His murder disrupted our family in a profound way. The last child of his just passed away this spring 2020. I was only 5 so I don't have a lot of memories other than being on the farm near Fredonia when I was really young.
Stephen Roll
Grandson
August 27, 2020
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