Broward Sheriff’s Office sergeant dies after battle with COVID-19

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Broward County Sheriff’s sergeant has died as a result of the novel coronavirus.

BSO tweeted Saturday that Sgt. Shane Owens had passed away after a battle with COVID-19.

He was 48 years old.

“Shane was a no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is supervisor who held people accountable,” said Lt. Col. Tim Langelier, the director of the Department of Detention’s Operations and Administration. “But more importantly, he taught them how to be the best they could be. If BSO had a Hall of Fame, Sgt. Shane Owens would be in it.”

Sgt. Owens served the Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Detention for nearly 30 years, according to BSO.

He was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 and died early Saturday morning.

The graduate of Hollywood Hills High School didn’t take long to decide he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, joining BSO before his 21st birthday.

Owens’ father, Sgt. David Owens, retired from BSO in July of 2019 after serving 34 years with the Department of Detention.

“Sgt. Owens certainly left his mark in Central Intake,” said Col. Josefa Benjamin, executive director overseeing BSO’s Department of Detention and Community Programs. “He was one of those dedicated employees who helped colleagues and supervisors do their jobs better,” “I remember years ago arriving in Central Intake and Sgt. Owens was instrumental in helping me become acclimated with the Central Intake operations.”