Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Hugh Owen was shot and killed in Coffeyville, Oklahoma, by one of two men when he entered their home to question them about a series of holdups. Both suspects were captured five days later by state troopers near Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on January 26, 1939. One was paroled in 1959. The other suspect was paroled in January of 1963 but was returned to prison four months later for violating his parole.
Survivors
Sheriff Owen was survived by his wife, who completed his term as sheriff, one son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-9B869C16- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Owen served with the Nowata County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Nowata community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Owen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Hugh Owen is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Nowata County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh Owen's cause is highlighted.
How Hugh Owen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Owen is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Owen was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nowata County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
