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Incident
Sergeant Bruce Owens succumbed to gunshot wound sustained in 1982 during an escape. A work-release prisoner was being released to go to his night shift job by an unarmed jailer. As he opened the cell door a convicted felon being held for another department forced his way out. Sergeant Owens walked in and tried to take custody of the escapee and return him to the cell. The prisoner resisted and during the scuffle he shot him with his weapon. The escapee then took two officers hostage and forced them to drive him in a patrol car to an area in the northern part of Rhea County and forced the officers to handcuff themselves to the screen and made his getaway. He eluded a massive manhunt by numerous officers from several departments. The escapee later committed an armed robbery in Louisiana, shooting a responding officer, however, the officer was able, with some help, to get back into his patrol car and and chase the suspect to a residence a few blocks away. Officers responded and surrounded the house and after a brief standoff, heard a gun shot from inside the house and entered to find the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sergeant Owens was paralyzed from the waist down and succumbed to complications from the gunshot wound on Sergeant Owens had served with the Rhea County Sheriff's
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.
Sergeant Owens gave the Rhea County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Owens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rhea County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Bruce is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bruce 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 1994, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bruce was 60. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Bruce had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Bruce was 60. 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. Bruce had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bruce had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Thursdays: 12.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Rhea County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% 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
Rhea County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Bruce among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Rhea County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
