Derek Wayne Owens was a 36-year-old Cleveland Division of Police officer when he was shot and killed on February 29, 2008. He and a partner had approached four men drinking in an abandoned lot on the city’s southeast side; the men ran and, during the foot pursuit, one produced a handgun and fired, striking Officer Owens below his vest. Owens was taken to a local hospital and died shortly after midnight while undergoing surgery.

A house-to-house search in the neighborhood led to the arrest of all four suspects. By November 2008 one of those arrested had been convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. Owens had served 10 years with the department and was assigned to the 4th District; he is survived by his wife, Ericka, and their children, Sydni and Chandler. The city later named a park in his honor.

If anyone has information about the shooting or remembers Officer Owens and his work in the 4th District, please share what you know.