Captain
Donald Eugene Owens
Bloomington Police Department
Friday, August 15, 1975

Age: 49
Served: 30 years
Badge #:
Panel 53W, Line 4
Panel L7, Line 1

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Friday, August 15, 1975
02:10 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
122 South Walnut Street, Bloomington
Incident County:
Monroe
Incident Township:
Bloomington
Weapon Used:
Officer's handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Sentenced to 15 to 20 years
Burial Place:
Valhalla Memory Gardens, Bloomington

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   Captain Donald Owens was shot and killed by a prisoner he was escorting from the third floor of the Bloomington City Court.

   The man had been arraigned on charges of malicious trespass and housebreaking to commit violence. After his bond was set by the judge and as the prisoner, who had been handcuffed in front, was being led from the courtroom, a scuffle ensued in the stairwell.

   The prisoner was able to gain control of Captain Owens' service weapon as it fell from its holster and shot him. He was transported to Bloomington Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

   The 23-year-old offender was charged with second-degree murder and subsequently sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison.

   Captain Owens was survived by his wife and son.

Military Service


United States Army
World War II
1944–1946

Historic Place


The Bloomington City Hall, at 122 South Walnut Street in Bloomington, was built in 1915 with additions in 1950 and 1972. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 14, 1989 and is located within the Courthouse Square Historic District, which was developed between 1847 and 1936, and is bounded by College Avenue, 4th, 7th and Walnut streets. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1990. The Bloomington City Hall and Courthouse Square Historic District were listed on the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures on July 12, 1989 and October 31, 1990 respectively.



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Captain Donald Eugene Owens - Bloomington Police Department - INLEM.org