BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN " CORNELIUS "SPEED" OWENS " ELKHART'S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN POLICE OFFICER : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK HEROES "

             BLACK    SOCIAL   HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                      

Cornelius 'Speed' Owens, Elkhart's first African-American police officer, dies at age 84

Cornelius “Speed” Owens Sr., 84, died Wednesday night at Elkhart Hospice House.

Sarah Welliver

P.

Cornelius “Speed” Owens Sr., 84, was known for his principles, leadership and love for his community during his 31 years with the Elkhart Police Department. Owens, the first African-American to serve with the department, passed away Wednesday evening, April 29, at Elkhart Hospice House.

Born in Arkansas and raised in Elkhart, Owens earned his nickname while working a paper route as a boy, delivering the Chicago Daily News.

This photo from a Jan. 28, 1968, article from The Elkhart Truth shows Elkhart Police Department detective Sgt. Cornelius Owens (The Elkhart Truth)

“I used to peddle the papers and the manager said I could do two routes as fast as the other boys could do one,” Owens said in a 1991 article in The Elkhart Truth.

That same speed followed him in sports, where he lettered in football and track at Elkhart High School before graduating in 1950. Owens, also a veteran of the Marine Corps, joined the police department in 1961.

Archived articles from The Elkhart Truth show a career in which Owens was lauded for his hard work and dedication to the job and his community. As a detective in 1968, he was recognized for his invaluable work in the investigation of the Judd Drug Store and G.L. Perry Variety Store fire, according to a Truth article.

In a press release from the Elkhart Police Department, Owens was remembered as a true leader, friend and mentor who stood up for what was right and led by example “even during the most difficult times.”

“I think he made the path for me a lot easier,” said Rodney Dale, assistant chief for the Elkhart Fire Department.

Dale, who is Owens’ nephew-in-law, recalled the advice Owens gave him on choosing his battles, being fair to everybody and leading by example so that “others could come behind me,” he said.

“He wanted to see everybody excel, but obviously being an African-American male he wanted to see other African-American males make progress and do good things and work in civil service.”

“He loved people and people loved him,” said Brent Curry, one of Owens’ nephews. His uncle was a man who taught Curry and other children in his 11th Street neighborhood the value of hard work.

“He would be remodeling his house and often call us and say, ‘Lord gave me two hands but I need three,’ and we’d go help,” Curry said.

While Owens was stern on the surface, Curry remembers the freezer his uncle kept stocked with Dilly Bars for when the work was done.

Owens also excelled at baseball playing both infield and outfield during summers in local leagues. Curry recalled days spent at Studebaker Park with his uncle.

“He was just a very loving man,” Curry said, “Speed looked after us. He was just an all-around great guy.
”