Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-CB55FABE- 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.
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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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Ora Clyde Owen, Jr. 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ora Clyde Owen, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Ora Clyde Owen, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ora Clyde Owen, Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ora Clyde Owen, Jr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
