Corporal Robert Glen Owen was 40 when he was shot and killed while on duty behind a warehouse on West 18th Street near Cranberry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. The shooting occurred the night of December 28, 1980; his body was found early the next morning with a single bullet wound to the chest. The murder weapon was identified as his service revolver, a Colt Trooper Mark III .357, and was later recovered with traces of Owen’s blood on it indicating it was fired at close range.

Investigators reported signs of a struggle: Owen’s jacket and shirt were disturbed, his keys were present, and a set of handcuffs had one cuff partially open. The scene was compromised by a fire rig washing the area and other destruction of evidence, and the inquiry was clouded by allegations of police corruption. Conflicting theories, including suicide connected to a prior probe of a stolen diamond ring, were raised but witness statements and further investigation disputed that idea. No suspects were identified or apprehended; the case remains unsolved.

Does anyone have information about Owen’s final shift, the warehouse area that night, or contacts who might shed light on the investigation?