He has served as the chairman of the Police Advisory Review Commission since its inception in 1998. The commission's aim is to strengthen the relationship between the members of the Knoxville Police Department and the citizens they serve through an independent review of police actions.

Prior to starting his own business, Owen was supervisory special agent in the FBI's Knoxville office, where he was responsible for white collar, civil rights and other criminal programs.

He participated both as an operative and administrator in multi-agency investigative efforts including those concerning the Butcher bank failure, illegal gambling and environmental crimes. He was a SWAT coordinator involved in the resolution of the Atlanta Federal Prison riot and capture of FBI Top Ten fugitive Michael Wayne Jackson.

He received the FBI's Merit Award resulting from the rescue of 13 hostages from the Talladega, Alabama, Federal Prison and was named National Criminal Investigator of the Year representing all federal law enforcement agencies. His civic activities include serving as vice chairman and volunteer of the Knoxville Open Golf Tournament for the benefit of the Boys and Girls Club and as a squad coordinator for the United Way.

He is a graduate of Leadership Knoxville and the Knoxville Citizens Police Academy Graduate.

Owen received a bachelor's degree in accounting from Carson-Newman College and has attended numerous professional law enforcement courses over the course of his career.

Owen lives in the Holston Hills neighborhood with his wife, Jolene. He has two adult daughters and three grandsons.