Roll of Honor

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Sheriff

Hugh Owen

Nowata County Sheriff's Office — Nowata, OK

Felonious

End of Watch October 12, 1938

Age 49

The Vigil Panel 75 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Sheriff Hugh Owen was shot and killed in Coffeyville, Oklahoma, by one of two men when he entered their home to question them about a series of holdups. Both suspects were captured five days later by state troopers near Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on January 26, 1939. One was paroled in 1959. The other suspect was paroled in January of 1963 but was returned to prison four months later for violating his parole.

Survivors

Sheriff Owen was survived by his wife, who completed his term as sheriff, one son, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-9B869C16
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.
Sheriff Owen served with the Nowata County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Nowata community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Owen.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Nowata County Sheriff's Office

Location Nowata, OK

Platform Identity ncso.nowata.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 12, 1938

Age 49

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Sheriff Hugh Owen 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Nowata County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Nowata County Sheriff's Office

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hugh Owen's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Hugh Owen Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hugh Owen is highlighted in Oct.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hugh Owen was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Nowata County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.