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Patrick H. Owens
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun Offender: Both sentenced to life
Detective Patrick Owens was aboard a northbound freight train when it paused at about 10:00 pm at Deerfield station, in Lake County, Illinois, to take water. While the train was stopped, two robbers boarded the train by the caboose. The robbers had taken a watch from the conductor when Detective Owens entered the caboose. Both robbers shot and killed Detective Owens when he refused to surrender.
The suspects were found hiding in the coal car while the train was stopped at Mayfair early the following morning. They shot and wounded another officer as they made their escape from the train. The suspects remained at large for six hours, until a large posse of police officers and citizens caught up and a shootout ensued. Both suspects were wounded before they surrendered to police and were later sentenced to life in prison.
Detective Owens had served with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Police Department for one year after retiring from the Chicago Police Department with 20 years of service.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Detective Owens gave the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Patrick is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Patrick 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 1894, 2 officers at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1893, with 3.
In 1894, 7 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1894, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Patrick was 40. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 40.5; the middle age was 39. Patrick had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 21 years.
Patrick was 40. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Patrick had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patrick was 40. 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. Patrick had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patrick was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Patrick had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department; April holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 57.1%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Patrick among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
