Marie Owens

Marie Owens (December 21, 1853 – June 1927; born Marie Connolly aka Marie Connolly 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.

Personal life She had a younger brother named Brendan who was born when she was seven years old.

She married Thomas Owens in 1879

She had a daughter who she went to live with when she retired.

Marie Owens died in New York City in June 1927, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.