Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Owens was shot and killed over a dispute involving a local doctor's dog. Constable Owens was attempting to arrest the doctor when the man shot him twice. The doctor was arrested but never tried for the murder. Constable Owens had served as marshal of Wildwood and constable Sumter County District Three for 3 years and had previously served as a deputy sheriff for Sumter County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-72EE6CCA- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Owens gave the Wildwood Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wildwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal John D. Owens 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wildwood Police Department, 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. John D. Owens's cause is highlighted.
How John D. Owens Compares
Offender Outcome
Never convicted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John D. Owens is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John D. Owens was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wildwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
