Roll of Honor
Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr.
Incident
Special Agent Tom Owens was shot and killed by a hobo who was hitching a ride in a slag-filled gondola car. He and his partner were searching the moving train as it departed the Woodlawn Yards in Birmingham, Alabama. The agents observed two men board the slow-moving freight train and began searching for them. As they walked atop the cars they came across the two men hiding in the gondola car and were immediately fired upon. Agent Owens was shot and killed before drawing his weapon. His partner returned fire and killed the subject despite being seriously wounded himself. Special Agent Owens had previously served with the Troy, Alabama, Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, brother, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-DF1C0A3F- 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.
Special Agent Owens served with the Central of Georgia Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr. 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Central of Georgia Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.