Constable Owen Booth was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect.

On December 22, 1896, Constable Booth, of Olathe, Missouri, his three deputies and Findlay Township Constable Perry Gentry went to the Newman residence 7 miles south of Mansfield near the Douglas County line where a dance was being held to arrest a man wanted for burglary of the Amos Store in Dry Creek. When the posse arrived at about 10:30 pm the suspect, James Kunze, fled as they approached and Constable Booth fired a warning shot in the air. Kunze turned and fired, shooting Constable Booth in the head, killing him instantly, then effected his escape.

James Kunze absconded to Arkansas where he was arrested but in Bentonville but escaped from the jail before he could be extradited to Missouri. In May of 1897, he was arrested in Colorado Springs and returned to Missouri for trial. Kunze was was tried for second degree murder and sentenced to ten years in prison. He was released in April 1905 after serving 7 1/2 years.

Constable Booth serving as Constable of Clay Township in Douglas County was survived by his wife.