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Incident
Officer Owens succumbed to injuries received the previous day when he was assaulted during an escape attempt. He had taken a prisoner outside of the state penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas, to do survey work. In an attempt to escape, the inmate struck Officer Owens in the chest, causing internal bleeding and triggering a heart attack. The suspect, sent to prison in 1903 for stealing a car, was taken into custody and charged with Officer Owens' murder. In February of 1906 he was tried and acquitted.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Owens served with the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas Department of Corrections has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1905, 1 officer at Kansas Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1905, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 50. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Kansas Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 39.5 and 50.5; the middle age was 43.
William was 50. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
William was 50. 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.
William was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 37.5% of these deaths at Kansas Department of Corrections, more than any other month. Thursdays: 12.5%.
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 8.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Kansas Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.1% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas Department of Corrections has 12 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William H. Owens Oct 5, 1905
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David W. Burns Dec 15, 1923
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Lee White Jul 26, 1928
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Henry M. Kenaga
Jun 20, 1954
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Paul J. Weber
Oct 19, 1976
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Donald R. Martin
Aug 19, 1978
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Burch D. Slote Jul 6, 1980
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Robert D. Hurd Oct 11, 1981
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Mark L. Avery
May 23, 1993
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George Bernard Robare
May 11, 2020
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Olufela A. Adebiyi
May 12, 2020
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Gabe Morales
Dec 22, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Kansas Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
