Captain Owens was shot with his own gun by Gary McDaniels while escorting him from court.

Captain Owens was filling in for city bailiff Bob Mullins, who was on vacation. After escorting Gary McDaniels from the courtroom, a scuffle immediately ensued. While the two men were struggling for possession of Captain Owens' duty weapon, a shot was fired. The bullet passed through Gary McDaniels and struck Captain Owens in the heart. Captain Owens called out for an ambulance and he was transported to Bloomington Hospital were he later died from his wound. Gary McDaniel survived.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 in Bloomington was named the Donald E. Owens Memorial Lodge in his honor.