Hundreds honor fallen sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen: 'He was a cop’s cop'

Hundreds of law enforcement officials gathered Thursday in Lancaster for the memorial service honoring Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen, who was killed by a burglary suspect last week.

"Steve was a man’s man, he was a cop’s cop, he knew his tactics, he was a great investigator and a great leader who influenced the lives of many in this community and throughout this region," Pastor Paul Chapell said at the beginning of the service.

Owen, who had been at the Lancaster sheriff's station for 20 years, began his time there working patrol with current Captain Pat Nelson. Nelson spoke of the man who eventually became known as "Bullfrog" by his peers.

“The one constant has always been Steve’s enthusiasm for seeking out those who would do our community harm. He truly loved his team and his community," he said. 

“I cannot adequately express the loss we are experiencing," he continued. "However, it is easy to see today that his sacrifice was not in vain. Steve will not be forgotten."

Sheriff Jim McDonnell praised Owen's professionalism and reputation as a "hardworking street cop."

"'Taking the bad guy to jail,' that was his motto," McDonnell recalled.

The sheriff read remembrances from deputies who served under Owen and from whom he "commanded instant respect."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell enters Lancaster Baptist Church as thousands of law enforcement officials and members of the community gathered for a memorial service of slain Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen Thursday, Oct.13, 2016 in Lancaster, Calif. Owen, a 29-year sheriff's veteran, was shot on Oct. 5 as he answered a report of a burglary at an apartment building in the city north of Los Angeles.

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"'No matter what he asked we would do it because we knew that if Sarge was in charge, everything would be OK,'" McDonnell read.

Chadd Owen, the sergeant's oldest son, read a statement written by his widow, Tanya Owen, a sheriff's deputy. The couple met two decades ago when they were both assigned to a gang enforcement team at the Lancaster station.

"Steve was the love of my life," she wrote, remembering him as a "teddy bear," an excellent water skier and an inveterate gardener of peppers, garlic, onions and cilantro — "everything needed to make salsa."

Owen was killed on Oct. 5 when he answered a burglary call. Authorities say 27-year-old parolee Trenton Trevon Lovell shot Owen upon encountering him, then stood over his body and shot him four more times.

The paroled robber aimed the gun at another deputy, stole Owen's patrol car, rammed another patrol car, and held two teenagers at knifepoint before he was arrested, authorities said.

Lovell, who has a long arrest record, has been charged with murder.

McDonnell told reporters that Thursday's funeral was especially poignant following recent police killings.

"We wish for our sake, for our family's sake and for our community's sake we can put this kind of behavior behind us and move forward," he said. "Unfortunately with the two murders in Palm Springs and what happened last night in Boston it doesn't seem like it's subsiding."

Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris said he will ask the City Council to rename a community park in Owen's name.

This story has been updated.