Marie Owens


Marie Owens is believed to have been the first female police officer in the U.S. and the first female police officer in the Chicago Police Department, in 1891, retiring in 1923. Holding the rank of Sergeant, Owens enforced child labor and welfare laws. She was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Irish immigrants.

Career

Prior to working with the police, she was one of five female health inspectors employed in the city health department in 1889. When employed with police she reported to Capt. O’Brien.

Personal life

She had a younger brother named Brendan when she was seven years old.
She married Thomas Owens in 1879 when she was ~26 years old.
While Marie was still in her twenties, she and her husband Thomas moved to Chicago. He died of typhoid in February 1888 when Marie was ~35 years old. She was left alone to raise five children.
Marie named her first son after Charles Stewart Parnell.
Marie had a daughter who she went to live with when she retired.