Roll of Honor
Joseph Owen
Incident
Federal Prohibition Agent "Little Joe" Owen succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two weeks earlier in a shootout with moonshiners near Kosciusko, Mississippi. The agents were ambushed while raiding a still, and Agent Owen was critically wounded. The other agents were able to return fire and wounded the two brothers who operated the still. Both were arrested and charged with murder. He was transported to a Jackson hospital but succumbed to his wounds two weeks later. Federal Prohibition Agent Joseph Owen was a United States Spanish War veteran who had served with the United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit for at least two years and had previously served as a Constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, four brothers, and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-9B944232- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Federal Prohibition Agent Owen gave the United States Department of the Treasury 7 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Owen served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Federal Prohibition Agent Joseph Owen is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit, 47 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 79.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Owen's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Owen Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Owen is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Owen was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
