Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless the Family, Friends and co-workers of Deputy Phil Owens. To Phil's family thank-you for sharing him with us as he stood on the thin blue line. Know that he is in a better place serivng God and patroling a new heavenly beat. You are in our prayers. To his friends and co-workers, our thoughts are with you as you press on. For Phil, rest easy brother, we'll take it from here. God Bless!

Detective Chuck Haley
Spokane County Sheriff's Office

October 6, 2003

Rest in peace brother, please watch over us and know that your sacrafice will never be forgotten.

Ptl.T.D.Hill
Ontario Police Dept.

October 6, 2003

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Phil did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Phil be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Owens' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his family. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Phil is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Phil was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

October 5, 2003

Phil;

Having just joined the department and your platoon some five monts ago, I had the pleasure of getting to know you while working an off-duty assignment together. During this time you an I became close by sharing information about each other families, hunting, swapping out recipes (that we took turn making and bringing for lunch as a cook off contest) and the department.
And now that God has called you home as one of his angels!. I know you'll serve him as well as you did here as a Deputy. I want'na THANK YOU for the time we spent together and the recipes you shared with me, they'll forever remind me of you!.
I close with a confession.............the chicken and rice casserole you liked so much which found you granting me the cook off title. Well I didn't make it as I claimed, my wife did!. I had to do something to match the great dish you brought the day before.
May GOD BLESS YOU and save a SEAT for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

744 is 10-42 (Ending Tour of Duty)

Dep. G. Street
Wake County Sheriff

October 5, 2003

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Deputy Owens family and friends, and the men and women of the Wake County Sheriff's Office. Rest in Peace Deputy Owens.

Paramedic Supervisor Mickey Huber
First Responder EMS

October 5, 2003

10-5-03

Phil, most of the early morning hours of October 2, 2003 are a blur to me.. After I found out you were gone at the crash site, all I could think about was the last conversation I had with you.. you told me if I ever needed you, you would be in my back pocket. The context of the conversation, as I recall, was that you were always here to back me up when I need it.

The next night after you died, I was patrolling the streets again. I was hardly focused on what I was doing, because the pain and grief were so hard. At almost 0100 hours on October 3, I was thinking to myself that you had been gone almost 24 hours. I thought about how it would be nice to have a moment of silence in your honor. I was assigned to cover the zone you worked in the night before, the night you died. Then, as I pulled into a fire station, at 0106 hours, the FM radio station I was listening to suddenly went out. It was right in the middle of a song, and then all I got was static. Was this a sign from you? You can answer that question when we are reunited in heaven.

To Mrs. Anitra Owens: I cannot express in words how sorry I am for the loss you must be feeling. I know how bad my grief is, so I know yours must be almost unbearable. Just know that although Phil is no longer here physically, his memory will remain forever. Although I hadn't known Phil for a very long time, it didn't take long to figure out the man he was. He was an example for all to follow; a great deputy, a great Christian, and obviously a great husband. He will continue to inspire me, and countless others, long after his departure from this earth.

Deputy B, Jones
Wake County Sheriff's Office, NC / B Platoon

October 5, 2003

I had the pleasure of getting to know Deputy Owens by going through the Wake County Sheriff's Academy with him. During those 22 weeks, I saw a man who I knew would serve the county well as a professional deputy sheriff. He was always willing to help a fellow recruit and never had anything bad to say about anyone. Even though I work for another department, I still saw Deputy Owens quite frequently at the jail or in the courthouse. He would always smile and ask how my family and I were doing. My prayers go out to his family and co-workers.

Anonymous

October 5, 2003

Deputy Owens..10-42 eternally
His loss will never be forgotten.

Bmpd806

Patrolman
Beech Mountain Police Depatment, NC

October 5, 2003

Phil,

Once again our hearts are heavy at the Wake County Sheriff's Office. We just didn't lose another deputy, we lost another great man and great friend. Many know you as a brother of the black and gray, but I know you as a brother of "Black and Old Gold", my fraternal brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. You were a true man of distinction, who led by example. You sacraficed to be a man of the fraternity, and you sacraficed to be a Wake County deputy. You crossed the burning sands to become an Alpha, and you crossed the stage to become a deputy. In the begenning, there was Alpha (10-41); in the end, there was Omega (10-42). You are now gone on to the Omega Chapter. May your prayers be with your family, the Wake County Sheriff's Office family, and your fraternal family.

'06 my brother.

Shawn Curtis, Computer Technology
Wake County Sheriff's Office

October 5, 2003

Brother, may God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

October 4, 2003

Phil,
Well it hardly seems like 8 years since we entered the academy together. I remember the first day, everyone was apprehensive and I was wondering who this guy was sitting to my left. Well my friend, it was you. It was a great 6 months. We ran, bled, studied, did push ups and sit ups together. These are the things that bond cadets. But it was more than that, you were my friend. I saw you just the other day and we did a quick update on each other's life. I wish we had taken a little longer.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew there strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." Soar high Phil, and keep watch over us all.

First Class Deputy
Wake County Sheriff's Office

October 4, 2003

I am sorry to hear about another fellow officer loosing his life. Let along a second one from the same department. We have also suffered a death of a fellow law enforcement officer in Dodge City, Kansas on September 23, 2003.

I am sorry to hear of your loss of Deputy Owens. He will be serving all of us in a better and safer place now at the right hand of the LORD.

LORD, grant them peace and be with all the family at this time of need. Also LORD, grant Deputy Owens' brothers and sisters in law enforcement the courage and ability to continue on with their duties. Amen

From all of us at the Linn County Sheriff Dept.

Deputy Sheriff A. Kinsley
Linn County Sheriff Deparment, Mound City Kansas

October 4, 2003

Rest easy. I wish there was something I could do to ease your family's
pain. God bless and always keep watch over your daughter with 2588.

October 4, 2003

I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Owens.

Officer Julie Schmidt
Louisville Metro Police Dept. Louisville, KY

October 4, 2003

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF DS PHIL OWENS.

Anonymous

October 4, 2003

Deepest sympathies to the Wake County Sheriff's Office along with the families of the two officers lost this past month.

Rest In Peace My Brothers and Have Fun Together In Heaven.

October 4, 2003

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

October 4, 2003

To the Family of Deputy Phil Owens.
I am very sorry for your loss, I hope that you will find comfort in time as you cope with loosing your loved one. Phil Owens was a servant to his community and fellow man. His loss will not be forgotten.

Phil Owens you will be missed. May God bless your family and give them strength in the days ahead. Good bye brother.

Deputy Michaiah Miracle McCollum
Wake County Sheriffs Office

October 3, 2003

Sometimes God gives us a lot to bare, but never leaves us.

Deputy, as you now know, Jesus Loves You. So do we!

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond,Va Police

October 3, 2003

St. Micheal walks with another friend, and hero. God bless you, Officer Owens.

May your family be comforted by the love of your memory.

Though we did not know you, your loss will be felt by all of your friends in the law enforcement community. God bless you, your friends and family, and God bless your partners at the Wake County S. O.

From,
Mason County Sheriff's Office
Ludington, Michigan

Deputy Road patrol Division
Mason County Sheriff's Office, MI

October 3, 2003

To Deputy Owens family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.


God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio F. Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL, EOW 11/6/86

October 3, 2003

To the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Owens,
I wish there was something I could say to help ease the pain, but I know I can't. I have been in your shoes and remember oh so well just how bad it hurts. I wish you peace in this time of pain. You are ALL on my mind and in my prayers. Lean on God and He will comfort you. Thank you Deputy Owens for a job well done!! Another angel got his wings, God only takes the BEST!!

Kristi Robinson
Girlfriend of Officer Linen, CA Highway Patrol, EOW 8/12/01

Kristi Robinson
Survivor 2001

October 3, 2003

Deputy Phil Owens,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I never had the opportunity to work beside you; however, I do remember speaking with you about once a month on your court date. I want to thank you for your love and dedication toward all of us, the job, and the citizens of Wake County. You will forever be missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!
God Bless You my Brother in blue

Deputy A B Smith
Wake Co Sheriff's Office

October 3, 2003

Phil Owens is 10-42 for the last time .....all the questions I have as to why or how this happen will never be answered.But my heart hurts with the pain and the shock that I have lost a friend and a co-worker. Phil you were a good man and a great Deputy you will be missed greatly.I know that God has great plans for you that is why he called you home.I pray for you and ask God to comfort your wife and daughter in this hard time.
Deputy S. Sefton 735 B plt Wake Co. Sherif's Office

S.A Sefton
Wake Co. Sheriff's Office

October 3, 2003

May you rest in peace blue angel.

Shannon

October 3, 2003