William J. "Gunny" Owen

RESTON, Va. — Capt. William J. "Gunny" Owen, Massachusetts State Police (Ret.) died on Jan. 31, 2008, after a long illness.

Capt. Owen was born in New York City. He was a graduate of Powell Memorial Academy. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. While serving with the 2nd Raider Battalion and later with the Third Marine Division, he made numerous landings and participated in a number of battles across the Pacific theatre. His decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.

After World War II, he attended Dartmouth and Holy Cross College. After serving in the Marine Corp, he joined the Massachusetts State Police, and graduated from the academy in 1948. From 1948-1953 he was a trooper and criminal investigator in B and C troops. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1957. During the 1960s, Capt. Owen served mainly at A Troop as both a case lieutenant and as a troop lieutenant. He also served as the troop inspection officer for C Troop from 1960-1961.

Following patrol duties, he served as an instructor at the State Police Academy from November of 1966 to September of 1968, also serving as the academy's commandant. Capt. Owen repeatedly spearheaded efforts to improve the curriculum, and was a pioneer in bringing special weapons and tactics techniques and equipment into play. A Distinguished Expert Marksman, he was a member of the Mass. State Police Pistol Team.

After retiring from the state police, Capt. Owen's service to his country continued. As a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he was an adviser to the Vietnamese National Police from 1968-71. He then served for 13 years with the U.S. Federal Protective Service, rising to director, Operational Services Division. Capt. Owen retired to Vero Beach, Fla., in 1984.

Following his retirement he was active in the Former Massachusetts State Troopers Association, the Marine Corps League, the Third Marine Division Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his son, William K. Owen and daughter-in-law Kathleen of Reston, Va.; his daughters, Pamela and Hilary; daughter, Leslie and son-in-law Chief William Flynn, all of Massachusetts; and his four grandchildren, William J. and Shannon Owen, and William and Catherine Flynn. Gunny will be laid to rest, with full Marine Corps honors, at the VA cemetery at the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Quantico.