Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Derek Owens was shot and killed as he and his partner chased four suspects in the city's southeast side.
The officer and his partner had observed the four men drinking beer in an abandoned lot and approached to speak to them. The men fled on foot as the officers pursued them. One of the suspects produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Owens once in the abdomen, below his vest.
Other officers transported Officer Owens to a local hospital in the back of a patrol car. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after midnight while undergoing surgery.
All four suspects were taken into custody following a house to house search in the area. In November 2008 one of the suspects was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Officer Owens had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 10 years and was assigned to the 4th District.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-0BA5E617- 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.
Police Officer Owens gave the Cleveland Division of Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Derek Wayne 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Derek Wayne Owens's cause is highlighted.
How Derek Wayne Owens Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Derek Wayne Owens is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Derek Wayne Owens was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
