Police Officer of the Year: Officer First Class Todd Owens

The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce annually  honors community and business leaders for their outstanding service to McLean. Seventeen men and women, our neighbors, received awards in a recent ceremony for their amazing work. McLean Patch is profiling each winner this week by publishing the citations awarded to each.

Police Officer of the Year:  Officer First Class Todd Owens

 In the early morning hours of November 7, 2010, PFC Todd C. Owens was on patrol in the McLean District Police Service Area when he was dispatched to a commercial burglary alarm at the (former) Blockbuster Video store on Chain Bridge Road near the Safeway.

PFC Owens promptly responded to the alarm and immediately discovered a front window on the business smashed with broken glass lying outside the business.  PFC Owens advised the dispatcher of a possibly Burglary and, with the assistance of additional responding officers, was able to clear the business to ensure no suspects were within it.  After checking the business, PFC Owens determined a burglary took place and bean a through and detailed initial investigation.  PFC Owens observed several suspicious circumstances surrounding the Burglary and carefully documented his findings for follow up investigation by detectives. 

During the evening of November 7, PFC Owens responded back to the Blockbuster Video store on his own accord to gather additional evidence to assist detectives with their investigation.  While conducting his follow up investigation, PFC Owens began a dialogue with one of the employees which would prove crucial later that night. 

The employee conveyed her suspicions about the burglary that coincided with the suspicions PFC Owens was having regarding the event.  The employee asked PFC Owens if he would be able to check on her, and the other employee around closing time, as she believed the store was targ3eted the previous night for a Robbery; however things fell through as this particular store closed earlier than others.  As approximately 2155 hours, PFC Owens was driving to the McLean District Station to conduct some investigative follow up when he stopped at the Blockbuster Video store.

PFC Owens parked his marked police cruiser off to the side of the business and began approaching the front door.  As he approached the front door of the business, PFC Owens made eye contact with an employee who was locking the door.  The employee made unusual eye contact to include a shocked facial expression which heightened PFC Owens’s suspicions believing something was wrong inside the business.  Upon closer observation, PFC Owens noticed a subject dressed in dark clothing hunched down and retreating towards the interior rear of the business.  PFC Owens determined a probably robbery was in progress and clearly conveyed his finding via radio which prompted an emergency response by fellow officers.  With the assistance of responding officers, PFC Owens entered the business exposing him to unknown danger in an effort to apprehend the suspects and protect the employees.  IT was determined the suspects were not inside and lookouts were broadcasted to perimeter units. 

As the initial investigation ensued, PFC Owens determined that two masked gunmen entered the business, tied up one of the employees, and began looting the business.  Despite a hectic and chaotic scene, PGC Owens remained calm and relayed pertinent information over the radio which greatly aided a perimeter unit with locating the two suspects hiding in a vehicle toward the rat of the business. 

The suspects were taken into custody without incident and transported to the McLean District Station for interviews by detectives and where PFC Owens continued to play an active role in the investigation.  PFC Owens worked diligently with detectives and assisted in a variety of roles to include travelling to Maryland to interview and accomplice.  PFC Owens continued to play an active role in the investigation and, as the case proceeded forward through the Court system, remained current with all developments as more accomplices continued to be developed and additional charges were placed against a variety of suspects. 

In a situation where PFC Owens could have easily taken a burglary report and turned it over to Detectives to conduct their investigation, he chose to take the initiative to conduct further investigation based on his suspicions which led to the disruption of an armed robbery in progress.  During the unfolding of the robbery, PFC Owens maintained his composure in a highly stressful situation.  PFC Owens exposed himself to hidden dangers and exhibited true bravery to protect the innocent.  His bravery and promptness led to the recovery of firearms and evidence and resulted in the arrest of several dangerous individual who were also determined to be involved in the earlier burglary.