Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 29 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 5, 2016
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Sergeant Steve Owen was shot and killed after responding to a burglary in progress call in the 3200 block of West Avenue J-7 in Lancaster, California.
He was checking the rear of the apartment building when the subject emerged and shot him. The other deputy on scene heard the shooting and ran to the rear of the building, where he found Sergeant Owen wounded. As he rendered aid the suspect attempted to steal Sergeant Owen's patrol car, but but crashed into a second patrol car as the second deputy attempted to stop him.
The man then fled into a nearby home where he took two teenagers hostage for several hours. As a SWAT team entered the apartment the man fled but was quickly apprehended.
Sergeant Owen had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 29 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.