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Thomas Adolphus Owens Jr.
Incident
Special Agent Tom Owens was shot and killed by a hobo who was hitching a ride in a slag-filled gondola car. He and his partner were searching the moving train as it departed the Woodlawn Yards in Birmingham, Alabama. The agents observed two men board the slow-moving freight train and began searching for them. As they walked atop the cars they came across the two men hiding in the gondola car and were immediately fired upon. Agent Owens was shot and killed before drawing his weapon. His partner returned fire and killed the subject despite being seriously wounded himself. Special Agent Owens had previously served with the Troy, Alabama, Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, brother, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Owens served with the Central of Georgia Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thomas is the only officer of Central of Georgia Railroad Police Department remembered here.
Thomas is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 41. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 41. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Central of Georgia Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Central of Georgia Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.