Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Owens was shot and killed after breaking up a fight between two juveniles at a local school, while posted there to keep the peace during an election. As Deputy Owens' escorted one of the boys off of the premises the boy's father hit him over the head with an iron rod. After falling to the ground, Deputy Owens drew his weapon and shot the suspect. Another man then grabbed the gun from Deputy Owens and fatally shot him.
The killer, age 19, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years on September 29, 1929. He was paroled on February 2, 1934.
Deputy Owens had served with the agency for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3EDA63EB- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Owens gave the Lewis County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vanceburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lewis County Sheriff's Department, 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. James Owens's cause is highlighted.
How James Owens Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1934
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Owens is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Owens was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lewis County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
