On December 18, 1947, Officer Owens was on duty as a police guard at General Hospital No. 2 when he was alerted by Willie Powell, an orderly, that Clarence Nunn, one of their most dangerous patients, had broken out of his room. During an earlier escape, Nunn had broken out of two straitjackets and destroyed the plumbing in his cell before the police and fire department could arrive. Officer Owens pursuaded Nunn that he couldn't leave the hospital until he had changed out of his hospital clothing. Officer Owens and Powell were walking Nunn back to his room when Nunn suddenly turned and struck Officer Owens to the floor knocking him unconscious. Powell and another orderly held Nunn down until Officer Owens regained consciousness and was able to help them. A third orderly arrived and the four men got Nunn back to his cell. At the time Officer Owens received first aid from a hospital nurse and then went on to finish his shift. When officer Owens went home that night he complained of pain and went for x-rays and tests at Menorah Hospital. On December 23, 1947, he was admitted to General Hospital and died there that day.

Officer Owens had been with the Kansas City Police Department for twelve years, serving as a police officer for nine years and worked as a police guard at the hospital for four years at the time of his death.

Officer Owens served with the United State Army during World War I. He was survived by his wife.