Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Owen Burns was shot and killed at a home on South Water Street after responding to a disturbance call. When he arrived at the scene, the man causing the disturbance shoved him down. He struck his head on a stove as he fell, allowing the suspect to gain control of his service weapon. As Patrolman Burns attempted to get up, the subject shot him. The subject was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 11, 1926. He was paroled on June 22, 1955. Patrolman Burns had served with the Steubenville Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-B0BDAE5A- 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.
Patrolman Burns gave the Steubenville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Steubenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Owen Burns 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 Steubenville Police Dept., 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Owen Burns's cause is highlighted.
How Owen Burns Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1955
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Owen Burns is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Owen Burns was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Steubenville Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
