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Incident
Deputy Jake Owens and Sheriff Robert Smith were shot and killed after arresting two men for stealing seed cotton. The officers allowed the men to go home and change before transporting them to jail. During the transport one of the suspects pulled out a concealed weapon and shot Sheriff Smith in the head, killing him. Deputy Owens jumped from the vehicle but was gunned down by the suspects. The suspect in the killing of Deputy Owens and Sheriff Smith was sentenced to death, but was sent to a state mental hospital. He was declared sane, returned to prison and electrocuted at the Texas State Prison in Huntsville on October 17th, 1930.
Survivors
Deputy Owens was survived by his wife and two children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Owens served with the Fisher County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fisher County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Jake is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Jake is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jake 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 1927, 18 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Fisher County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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.
His people
Fisher County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jake among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fisher County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
