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Incident
Patrolman James Owens was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner he had just arrested. He had responded to an accident and had transported an injured woman and her boyfriend to the hospital. While at the hospital the boyfriend became disorderly and Patrolman Owens arrested him. As he took the man to jail the man produced a .22 caliber handgun and shot Patrolman Owens in the neck four times. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death September 18th, 1968. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison in May of 2010.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Owens served with the Charleston County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charleston County Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 1968, 1 officer at Charleston County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1968, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 34. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Charleston County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37.5; the middle age was 31.5.
James was 34. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 34. 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.
James was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Charleston County Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 40%.
May holds 9.9% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Saturdays: 17.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Charleston County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Charleston County Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Charleston County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
