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Ora Clyde Owen Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ora Owen was struck and killed by a drunk driver near Bijou. Deputy Owen had been involved in a vehicle crash and was directing traffic around the scene. An off duty deputy was going by and was asked by Deputy Owen to help direct traffic by setting out flares while they awaited the arrival of the California Highway Patrol and a tow truck. The two deputies had just put out additional flares when an oncoming vehicle fatally struck Deputy Owen at a high rate of speed. The 19-year-driver was arrested and charged with drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter. He was convicted of hit-and-run and manslaughter and sentenced to weekends in jail for three months. Deputy Owen was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and the Korean War.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Ora is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Owen served with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Placerville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ora Clyde Owen Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ora is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Ora is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ora is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ora was 42. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Ora was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Ora was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ora among them.
Where
Military Service
Ora Clyde Owen Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ora Clyde Owen Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
