Captain Donald Eugene Owens

Captain Owens was shot with his own gun by a defendant while escorting him from court.

Captain Owens was filling in for a city bailiff who was on vacation. After he escorted the defendant from the courtroom, a scuffle ensued in the hallway. While the two men were struggling for possession of Captain Owens' duty weapon, a shot was fired. The bullet passed through the defendant and struck Captain Owens in the heart. He was transported to a local hospital were he was pronounced deceased. The defendant survived, was charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to 15-25 years in prison.

In addition to serving with the Bloomington Police Department, Captain Owens was also a U.S. Navy World War II veteran.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 in Bloomington was named the Donald E. Owens Memorial Lodge in his honor.