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Officer Derek Owens Biography
After graduating from St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio, Derek attended the University of Toledo where he met his wife Ericka and became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was looking forward to completing his Masters Degree from the University of Phoenix in June of 2008. Although his family was worried about his safety, they encouraged him to follow his dream to become a police officer. Derek was assigned to the Cleveland Police Academy on September 28, 1998. As a bright recruit, he never failed to make his classmates smile and persevere through the difficult moments, which came with being a recruit in the academy. He was someone that people instinctively followed because of his strong character and charisma. On February 9, 1999 Derek graduated from the academy and was assigned to the Fifth District. After a short period of time, he transferred to the Fourth District where he worked for almost ten years.
Derek was an advocate for many youth in the City of Cleveland. He never ceased to the see the good and the potential that they had to offer. He was a mentor, confidant and friend to many. He always believed that the most troubled youth could be turned around. Patrol Officer Derek Owens is survived by his wife Ericka, his children Sydni and Chandler, his parents Wayne and Barbara, and his sister Dr. Dawn Owens-Watterson. |
Sites Dedicated to Officer Derek Owens:
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Contact Person: Shawn Smith |
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Officer
Derek Owens was not a large man by conventional standards, but his
heart and personality were much larger than men three times his
size. Previous to his becoming a member of the Cleveland
Division of Police, Derek worked as a probation officer for Cuyahoga
County in the Juvenile Division, where he attempted to counsel and
advise youth of the wrong paths that their lives were on and what
they needed to do to change to lead productive lives. 
On
February 29, 2008 while on patrol Derek and his partner spotted a
group of young males in front of an abandoned house, a location
known for loitering and drug sales. They observed the males
drinking beer out of open containers and proceeded to investigate
further. As the officers approached the males they began to
flee on foot. Owens went one way while his partner traveled in
the opposite direction each chasing different suspects. After
a brief foot pursuit Owens made a radio broadcast stating the shots
were fired and he had been hit. His fellow officers transported
Derek to Metro Health Medical Center where he underwent several
hours of
surgery, unfortunately his injuries were too severe and he passed
away on Saturday March 1, 2008.