Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My prayers are with the children, family, friends and co-workers of Officer Foster.
Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice, you are a true hero who will never be forgotten.

Linda
sister of S/A Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

December 8, 2004

Officer Foster: Last night I got a drunk driver. A 68-yr old man who could barely keep the car on the road. He blew a .20. He hollered and cursed me the whole way to the intoxylizer room and the whole way to the jail. He called me the most vulgar names known to man. I thought of you and your sacrifice and the sacrifice others have made at the expense of drunk drivers. I just smiled, enjoyed my time with him, and felt proud that I could remove at least one person from the road. Thanks for your sacrifice. Others will also work in your honor. God Bless.

Trooper KS Howald
NCSHP

December 8, 2004

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
JOHN 3:16

Sgt.
Frankfort Police

December 8, 2004

Melissa,
We said goodbye to you yesterday with the highest of honors. You deserved it! You gave the ultimate sacrifice doing something you loved most only second to those precious children of yours. We couldn't help but feel you there especially when after such a dark and rainy morning, out of nowhere, the most beaming ray of sunlight started glowing right on your Lainey and Owen. We knew you were there watching them. We also felt you as we were grieving after the ceremony and came home after a long day and saw not one but two rainbows right on Gender Road where we have placed a memorial to you. We will carry on your mission and remember you fondly forever. We will make sure that your babies know how remarkable their mommy was. We will help watch over and take care of them. We promise you that. Rest in Peace!

Tonia and Officer Brett Drake
Columbus Division of Police

Tonia and Officer Brett Drake
Columbus Division of Police

December 8, 2004

My prayers and deepest condolences are with your Department, and especially with the friends and family of your fallen friend. GOD BLESS this HERO.
Stay strong, stay focused, and make SURE that Officer Melissa Foster
will never be forgotten.

Invest. Mike Bradford-Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

December 8, 2004

God Speed, Sister.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

December 8, 2004

In times like these we ask why? And as i have realized over the past month since my mother death, there is no answer. You must find comfort in the support and love of the people around you. You must live every day to the fullest, and know you WILL see your loved one again someday. Thank you officer Foster for your sacrifice. To the family be strong, i don't know if it gets better, it hasn't been long since my mother was killed, but i can honestly say you are not alone. Everything you are feeling i feel, i know your pain all to well and it is one i wish we didn't have to share. God Rest your soul Officer Foster.
Amanda Donovan
daughter of Off. Amy Donovan
EOW 10-31-2004

Amanda Donovan
Daught of a fallen officer

December 7, 2004

As I sat at your memorial today, I was overwhelmed with emotions as were many officers as we thought, "but for the Grace of God, there, go I." Thank you Melissa for your dedication and service.

Officer Jackie Fofana #1402
Columbus PD

December 7, 2004

After the loss of a brother officer in my agency in August, I want to express my deep sorrow and let yall know that I share your pain and grief. To your agency, God bless and continue to strive forward. Never forget and always remember. To the family, God bless all of yall and be proud of your loved one as she gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. She now patrols the streets of gold and she is a guardian angel to us all.

Cpl. Mike Szempruch
Bossier City Police Dept. Louisiana

December 7, 2004

To the Foster children,
Your mother was a strong person who helped everyone when called. Don't ever let go of that.

To the Foster Family,
We know you are hurting and no words can take away the pain nor bring Melissa back, but also know that you are not alone and we're all here for you.

Melissa,
Thank you for your service you're one of the few that stood in blue to protect us all. I hope that you meet our buddy Brandy and continue to protect the streets of heaven. And we all know that you both are watching over us all. You'll be missed but not forgotten.

Amber & Deputy Ryan Zempter
Marion County Sheriffs Department

December 7, 2004

On behalf of the Stark County Sheriff's Office and its Honor Guard, we offer our condolences to the family of Officer Foster and to the members of the Columbus P.D. We thank you for your service and the sacrifice made by you and your family. You will not be forgotten. May God bless you and your family.

Deputy C.D. Newman
Stark County Sheriff's Office / Canton, Ohio

December 7, 2004

My son was killed at nearly the same time in the same manner. I am so sorry for your pain. I found this poem used on a poster for our local Blue Light Ceremony. I cried my eyes out, but it touches everyone deeply. May God be with you all.

Yesterday was a special day for me
Yesterday I got a call
Yesterday I saved a life
Yesterday I made a sacrifice
Today is a special day for me
Today I got my picture in the paper
Today everyone’s coming to visit
Today I am a hero
Tomorrow is a special day for me
Tomorrow I’ll get a parade
Tomorrow all my friends will carry me
Tomorrow I’ll rest eternally

C.W. Carico 10-10-2000

M. Fisher, Mother
Deputy Kevin Sherwood, EOW 10/9/03

December 7, 2004

The Thin Blue Line has once again been disrupted, another great officer has fallen. Melissa you are a blessing, you are in a better place now. You have been called to join the thousands of angels that look over us everyday.

You have touched many of us in a way that cannot be explained. We all know you are still with us, and will continue to touch the lives of many people. You will never be forgotten, thank you for your service, support and friendship.

God bless all of those who have died, and all of those who work everyday in making this world a better place.

The thin blue line is all there is between good and evil.

Officer Steven B. Kinsey
Columbus Police Department

December 7, 2004

A PARTING POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER

ST MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL, HEAVEN'S PATRON OF POLICE OFFICERS, WHO ONCE CLEARED GOD'S PREMISES OF ALL THE UNFAITFUL ANGELS; LOOK WITH KINDLY AND PROFESSIONAL EYE UPON YOUR EARTHLY FORCE.
GIVE US COOL HEADS, STOUT HEARTS, AWARENESS OF THE LAW, PRUDENCE IN OUR INVESTIGATIONS AND WISDOM IN OUR JUDGMENTS.
MAKE US THE TERROR OF CRIMINALS, THE FRIENDS OF CHILDREN AND LAW ABIDING CITIZENS, KIND TO STRANGERS, POLITE TO BORES, STRICT WITH LAW BREAKERS, AND OBSTINATE TO TEMPTATION.
IN TROUBLES AND RIOTS, GIVE US STRENGTH TO BE EFFIECIENT; AT THE POLICE COURT, GIVE US LOVE FOR THE TRUTH AND EVIDENCE WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT OF SELF.
YOU KNOW, BELOVED ST MICHAEL, FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEVIL, THAT THE POLICEMAN'S LOT ON EARTH IS NOT ALWAYS A PLEASANT ONE; BUT YOUR SENSE OF DUTY THAT SO PLEASED GOD, YOUR COURAGEOUS STRENGTH THAT SO OVERWHELMED THE DEVIL, AND YOUR ANGELIC SELF-CONTROL GIVE US INSPIRATION!
MAKE US AS LOYAL TO THE LAWS OF GOD AS WE ARE PARTICULAR ABOUT THE LAWS OF THE LAND.
AND WHEN WE ANSWER OUR FINAL CALL (AS OFF. FOSTER HAS.), ENROLL US IN YOUR HEAVENLY FORCE, WHERE WE WILL BE AS PROUD TO GUARD THE THRONE OF GOD AS WE HAVE BEEN TO GUARD THE CITY OF MEN. AMEN

COLUMBUS DIV. OF POLICE

December 7, 2004

Officer Foster....May God watch over your children, family, and friends during this sad time, and may they all find comfort in knowing your sacrifice will not be forgotten....you gave of yourself that another innocent would not be taken that night....God speed....

wife of a Sgt
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

December 7, 2004

My deepest sympothy goes to the family members , co-workers, and friends of fallen Officer Foster. May she rest in peace and watch over all of us now that she is a gaurdian angel.

Deputy
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, FL

December 7, 2004

Thank you for a job well done. Rest in peace Officer Foster.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Department

December 7, 2004

Your dedication and bravery will never be forgotten it will live on in the hearts of all that knew you.May god bless your two little Angels.

Deputy Ray Jodlowski
Monroe county Sheriffs Office Florida

December 7, 2004

I pray your family and friends find comfort and strength in these heart felt reflections. May your spirit have a joyous homecoming, "Go rest high on the mountain" our sister!

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

December 7, 2004

Rest in peace. God bless you and keep you always.

DE
St. Louis City Police

December 7, 2004

May you rest in peace and to your family and coworkers, from all of us you will be missed. Say a prayer and watch over us, with the tough job we all have ahead!

Federal Police Officer Robert Jackson
US Dept.Of Veterans Affairs

December 7, 2004

Your watch is over, we will finish what is left undone... Until we meet, Rest in peace...

Cpl. G.A. Cohn, Traffic Homicide Investi
Florida Highway Patrol

December 7, 2004

We eternally thank you for for the tremendous sacrifice you gave our city, your name will forever be spoken in honor. My family prays for your soul and the two innocent children that must survive without their mother. God bless all three of you.

Officer Joseph Riddle #2109
Columbus, OH. Division of Police

December 7, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Melissa's children, family, friends and co-workers. Rest in peace, Melissa, and thank you for your service to all of us.
Police Chaplain Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Special Agent Jay Balchunas
EOW 11/5/04

Police Chaplain Mary Kay Balchunas
New Berlin, WI PD

December 6, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family, friends,and co-workers of Officer Foster. Rest in peace Ms. Foster, you are a true hero.

a citizen

December 6, 2004