LA County

Family of Fallen Sergeant Speaks Out After Losing Their ‘Hero'

"Rest assured, he will always be patrolling the streets of our community; you may not see him but he is there."

The family of sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this week, spoke out for the first time since they lost their "hero" with a statement Saturday.

The 53-year-old veteran of the department was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while answering a burglary report. He had served the department for 29 years.

In the statement, the family expressed their love for Owen, and said he would continue to ensure the community's safety from above.

"Rest assured, he will always be patrolling the streets of our community; you may not see him but he is there," the family said in the statement. "He will be missed, but never forgotten."

Owen's family included two family photos "to help tell the story of the kind of man" he was. One was a picture of the family at their wedding ceremony in 1999, and the other showed Owen "on one knee giving symbolic vows to his daughter ... just before giving vows to her mother," the family said in the statement.

The family thanked the the community for the love and support they have shown for Owen and their family this week also.

A civilian-led candlelight vigil will be held Saturday night in memory of Owen. It is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. 

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The statement from the Owen family can be read in its entirety below:

"To the residents of LA County and especially the Antelope Valley:

We want to say thank you for the love and support you have shown our family as we mourn the loss of our husband, father, brother, uncle, son, and ultimately our HERO, “Sgt. Steve Owen.” The continuous outpouring of encouragement, gratitude, and respect for him that has come from our community and across the nation has brought us the comfort and the strength needed to survive this tragedy. You all have truly touched our hearts.

We want to say thank you for everyone who has stood in support, prayed, written letters, shared stories and are continuing to grieve beside us in honor of our fallen Hero. Steve paid the ultimate sacrifice, but his passing is uniting this community.

We have peace knowing he was a man of faith, and although his earthly body is gone his spirit is alive and thriving inside all of us. He is seated with the Lord Almighty looking down on all of us now and continuing to ensure our safety. Rest assured, he will always be patrolling the streets of our community; you may not see him but he is there. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

We are sharing a couple of very personal photos to help tell the story of the kind of man our husband, dad, and son was; a true family and community protector. He had a huge heart for all things living and always put others before himself. The first photo is a family portrait taken at our wedding ceremony in October 1999. From left to right – Son Branden, now age 24; Wife Tania; Daughter Shannon, now age 22; Steve Owen; and Son Chadd, now age 27. The second photo, also taken at the wedding, captured Steve on one knee giving symbolic vows to his daughter Shannon, just before giving vows to her mother Tania. It was the kind of person he was, always thoughtful of others feelings and emotions before his own.

Thank you for all of the love and support, praise the Lord and God Bless the USA.

Authored by:

The Owen Family"

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