Nearly a decade ago, Sgt. Steve Owen, was shot and killed in an execution-style manner while responding to a burglary call.

Deputy Steve Owen began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 1987 and worked at many stations, including the East Facility, the Lynwood Station, and the Antelope Valley Station before being promoted to Sergeant in 2011 and worked as the Lancaster Community Appreciation Project Sergeant until he passed away in 2016. 

Owen, a decorated, 29-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, was responding to a reported burglary call with the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station on Oct. 5, 2016 when he was shot and killed on Avenue J in Lancaster.

Owen, a decorated, 29-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, was responding to a reported burglary call with the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station on Oct. 5, 2016 when he was shot and killed on Avenue J in Lancaster.

“While responding to the burglary on the 3200 block of West Avenue J-7, Owen had his partner remain in the front of the location while he went around to check the rear,” reads a statement on the Blue Lives Matter page. “As Owens approached the rear of the building, the armed suspect shot him in the face.”

Lovell reportedly proceeded to the front of the building and entered Owen’s parked cruiser. The suspect threw the car in reverse in an attempt to run over another deputy nearby who opened fire while the suspect ended up colliding with another cruiser, injuring another deputy inside, according to officials.

“He then bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot. He ran into a nearby home which was occupied by two teens,” the Blue Lives Matter statement continues. “One of the teens quickly contacted police to notify them of the suspect’s location. SWAT responded and forced their way into the home but the suspect was able to flee out the back. He jumped a fence and ran into another backyard where he was quickly surrounded by deputies. He was taken into custody. At some point during the event, most likely during the initial collision, he was struck in the torso by a round fired by deputies.”

As a result of the incident, Owen has since received the Sheriff’s Department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, for his active role in safely placing an armed suspect in custody without lethal force.

Lovell was sentenced to life in prison in May after pleading guilty to the first-degree murder of Owen and several additional felony charges. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Zachary Anderson identified Lovell as the man he saw standing over Owen’s body outside the apartment complex during the preliminary hearing, officials said.

During his trial, he admitted to the special circumstance allegation of a peace officer and special allegations of using a firearm to murder Owen, using a patrol car as a deadly weapon during the attempted murder of a second peace officer on scene, using a knife in a robbery and false imprisonment after he fled from the scene of the murder, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office officials.

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