Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Terry,

We worked so many years together. When I was a dispatcher and would ride with you, you were patient, yet extended friendship. When I became an officer, you were one of the first to congratulate me. I still remember your laughter when I was promoted to sergeant and was assigned your squad. You saw true humor in that event. Our friendship grew and you were a pleasure to work with. I have to work hard to remember those positives, compared to the memory of that horrible night. It is hard not to feel anger when I go by your dock, knowing what your wife and family has missed. It is hard not to let anger be there, but Terry, that is not you or your memory. Your memory is one who cared, who had a deep sense of humor and community service, a love of family, and of life. I have to make myself not play "what if", but instead realize "what was". What was life shared with you, what was making calls with you, and what was just sitting car to car, talking.

Your family and friends miss you. I have not visited your grave, and for that I am sorry, but I grieve too much for that. The day of your funeral, I worked the street so others could attend. I was being selfish, as I could not bring myself to attend. Today, I have taken time from life to remember the good things and to thank you, Terry, for being a friend, and coworkers for many years.

By the way Terry, where are my pants? ( Private joke, Terry's cleaners lost a pair of pants of mine years ago, but I would not let them be replaced, as it was more value to ask that question now and then just to get Terry fired up. )

Missing you greatly,

Gregg

Major Gregg Wilkinson
Independence Police

March 17, 2010

Terry,
It doesn't seem like this many years have passed but they have. I still think of you often, and wish things would have been different. As the years have passed, your story has been told many times and I know deep down it has saved someones life.
I still hurt so much and I wish you were still here.

Anonymous

March 17, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 17, 2010

You will never be forgotten Terry, you are a hero to the city of Independence. Rest in peace brother.

Independence Police Officer

March 17, 2010

9 years ago I was in college....You were patrolling the streets that I now serve. Officer Foster I look at your photo before I saddle up for the day and remember your story. I thank you for your years of service and the lives you may have touched and changed. May the lord continue to shine his heavenly light upon you and your family. Thank you for your courage on your EOW. Officer Foster you are not forgotten.

Anonymous

March 17, 2010

Terry, Well another year has passed and you are still gone... somedays I still cannot believe it. It has been such a long time and I think about you often... I know you are taking good care of all the rest of the family that are there with you.... man I miss Albert especially
Your birthday will be here soon, and we are going to see the Red Sox play the Royals that night... we will probably freeze just like we did on another trip to the ball park on your birthday.. if you and Claudia could be here to celebrate together that night all would be right in the world. Take care of yourself, know we love you and miss you and I will drink one for you at the game!
Betty Lou
friend

Betty Lou Anderson
friend

March 15, 2010

Its been a long time but it doesnt seem like it,i talk to kale and meah about u all the time they call u granpa terry and love u even though they never got to meet u. i will never let them forget you. i think about u every day love and miss you very much.

daughter Lori

Anonymous

February 22, 2010

Happy valentines day--I love you and miss you everyday.

Your wife

Debbie
Wife

February 17, 2010

I remember this day clearly. It was another call out for my father. But when my dad returned I knew something was wrong, my father was very upset. I remember meeting you a few times around the department when I was a little kid. But i do remember you were a very nice caring officer.
Thoughts and prayers still go out to your family and friend to this day. You will never be forgotten.
R.I.P Officer T. Foster

Logan Parks

February 8, 2010

OFFICER FOSTER YOU ARE TRULY AN AMAZING MAN FOR KEEPING YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE FOR 32 YEARS. EVERYDAY YOU PUT ON THAT BLUE UNIFORM YOU TOOK A RISK THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO TAKE BECAUSE YOU LOVED YOUR JOB. YOU WENT BEYOND "TO SERVE AND PROTECT" BY MAKING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO YOUR CHOSEN PROFESSION. THE THIN BLUE LINE GOT THINNER WHEN YOU LEFT US. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO AND AFTER 8 YEARS YOU ARE STILL REMEMBERED BECAUSE HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

AL LLANOS
FRESNO PD RET.

October 2, 2009

Always remembered and never forgotten. Rest in Peace Terry Foster, you will never be forgotten.

Independence Police Officer

March 17, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 17, 2009

You're still missed and remembered. You are a hero. I tell every new recruit I train about your story and I remind them of your sacrifice and dedication. Rest in peace brother.

P.O. M. LaFramboise#1270

March 5, 2009

Terry, I still cannot believe you have been gone so long... I still find myself looking towards your house I I round the corner and go up the hill to turn into Canterbury.
Well Albert is there now and getting settled in. I sure miss you, your Mom and Frankie, but am so glad you are there to greet him and help him get along. He had a long struggle over the last few months and was confused a lot.. I think often wondering why he was still here. I loved your Dad like my own and will miss him a lot, but again if he has to be gone at least you all are there to help him... I can hear Frankie saying "Oh Honey" as she is helping him do something, and Dorothy in her slow southern drawl calling his name
A l b e r t..... I bet he and Bert and Bobby are having a great time together!
Terry, take care of all of them, know that we miss you and knowing that we will all be together again some day makes the thought of dying some day much less scary.
Miss you take care of your Dad, I miss him a lot.
Betty Lou

Betty Lou Anderson
friend

February 23, 2009

I never had the pleasure of meeting Officer Foster, yet he will remain in my thoughts for as long as my memory serves me.

I was a recruit at the police academy in Independence (and a resident of Independence) at the time of his murder and assisted with parking, and traffic control duties for the funeral services. I can honestly say that his death had an impact upon me in that it was only after seeing his fellow officers from I.P.D. mourn his untimely loss, as well as the response from law enforcement agencies from all around that I knew I had found my calling in this world.

I vividly recall that along the procession route I saw a man and his young son stop along the side of the road, exit their car and stand in salute as our seemingly endless line of vehicles passed. That memory crosses my mind frequently when I hear dispatch "dropping tones" on my radio, and I think in some way that the sacrifice of Officer Foster as well as his family has kept me alert and safe over the past 7+ years.

I hope that the family of this dedicated officer can find peace, and I thank them for THEIR own sacrifice. It has not been un-noticed. The loss of your loved one has likely saved the lives of countless graduates of the Western MO Regional Police Academy over the years, simply by teaching new officers to be aware that any day, and any call could be the one requiring ultimate sacrifice.

Rest in peace brother.

Deputy Sheriff J.T.
Cass County MO Sheriff's Office

February 21, 2009

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I WISH WE WERE SPENDING IT TOGETHER-BUT YOU HAVE MANY PEOPLE WITH YOU TODAY-I HOPE YOU AND YOUR DAD HAD A GREAT REUNION . WE SURE MISS HIM BUT KNOW HE IS HAPPY.

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU EVERYDAY.

YOUR WIFE

DEBBIE FOSTER
WIFE

February 14, 2009

Officer Foster,
I never got the opportunity to meet you. I was told of your story while I was in the academy. 9-19-08 marks the 5 year anniversary of my graduation. I just wanted to say that thank you for your service, you are not forgotten.

Officer Devin Lambeth
Randolph Missouri Police Department

September 14, 2008

Terry

I love you and miss you, you are always with me and Cassie Earlene.

Your Wife

Debbie Foster

September 11, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

It is an honor to serve the community you did for many years. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten or taken for granite. Today marks 7 years since you were taken away from your friends and family. It's true, heroes do live forever.

Police Officer M. LaFramboise #1270
Independence Missouri Police Department

March 17, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 6, 2007

The impact that you had both in life and death continues today. My heart is with your family.

Officers Wife
Independence MO Police Department

November 8, 2007

"should we still set his place? should we still save his chair? should we still buy him gifts and if we dont do we not care? It makes you think about the life you've led, things you've done, or should have said and its grounding, grounding. I've been feeling 3 feet tall this month, hardly indestructible but the snow melts and the rhythm still goes on."

"an angel got his wings and we'll hold our heads up knowing that he's fine, we'd all be lucky to have a love like that in a life time...friends stay side by side in life and death you always stole my heart, you've always meant so much to me it's hard to believe this."

"winter"
bayside

to your family and those that knew you best, October 29th is your day from us to you for your faithful and dedicated service. we will not forget. your name still rings true within the academy walls and in our hearts. We appreciate it, and please continue to watch over us as we do our jobs. Much love and respect.

personal note to Mrs. Foster: We hope to see you October 29th. None of us can imagine what you have been through. Although you are not alone in this journey please know that there is a reason for everything.a plan for you and I. keep an open heart and know that we would run forever if it made a difference.

-vmv
mcc blue river police academy

fellow brother in arms -vmv

September 15, 2007

Terry was my friend. Terry had developed a habit of getting to a meeting early and when I would walk in Terry would yell out "Hey Hoppy, I saved you a seat". I miss him.
A few years later I had a heart problem and when the thought of dying crossed my mind I found relief with the thought of Terry looking down and saying "Hey Hoppy, I saved you a seat.

Richard Hopkins
Code Enforcement Independence MO.

July 9, 2007

Officer Foster,

Though we never met, your story is still told at the Academy. Not a day goes by that the recruits are not reminded about what can happen when things go bad. Because of your service, this would is a better place, and because of your sacrafice, this world is a sadder place. But as watch the lives of others, we know that you are there to ever watch ours. You are deeply missed.

Police Offier
Buckner PD

May 22, 2007