Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Henry Owens was shot and killed at a church revival at Edgewood, Kentucky, by a 21-year- old man after he lit a cigarette and he told him that smoking was not allowed in church.
The subject told Deputy Owens he could not tell him what to do. As Deputy Owens reached out to take hold of him the man opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun. Deputy Owens was shot twice in the chest and killed.
The subject fled into the mountains after shooting Deputy Owens. It is not known if he was ever apprehended
Deputy Owens had served with the Bell County Sheriff's Office for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two brothers, and his half-sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-54824BAE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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 served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville 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 Henry Adams Owens 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 97,756 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry Adams Owens's cause is highlighted.
How Henry Adams Owens Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry Adams Owens is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry Adams Owens was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
