Long Beach Police Department, California
End of Watch Friday, June 24, 1960
Add to My HeroesVernon J. Owings
Police Officer Owings was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped to help what they thought were two men having car trouble on Seaside Boulevard. One of the men produced a handgun and shot and killed Officer Owings. Both men were apprehended.
The gunman was the gang leader responsible for 70 holdups that netted the gang more than one hundred thousand dollars. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on November 2, 1960. His sentence was later commuted to life.
Officer Owings was a United States Navy veteran. He was survived by his daughter, son, and parents.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsThanks to everyone for your kind words. My brother and I didn't get to know our father. I had just turned 5 when he died and my brother was 3. It was 54 years ago.
I have been thinking of him often and I believe it is because of the turmoil in our country and especially because of the disrespect and defund police actions. I would hope that if I had a chance to explain to these people about his ultimate sacrifice and how it impacted our family, they would look at their behavior in a different light.
God bless the men and women who still choose to protect our communities.
Sheila Guernsey
Daughter, Sheila Owings Guernsey
October 16, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Correction Officer Andrew Lansing
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, OH
EOW: December 25, 2024
Trooper Clay M. Carns
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: December 23, 2024
Police Officer Michael Horan
Greensboro Police Department, NC
EOW: December 23, 2024
Air Interdiction Agent Jeffrey Kanas
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations, US
EOW: December 16, 2024
Detention Officer Isaiah Bias
Ellis County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: December 16, 2024
Sergeant Elio Diaz
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: December 15, 2024
Sergeant Rick Finley
McNairy County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: December 14, 2024
Police Officer Jacob Candanoza
Terrell Police Department, TX
EOW: December 8, 2024
Detective Allan Reddins
Oak Park Police Department, IL
EOW: November 29, 2024