Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dad,

Even after 40 years your impact to "never give up" is still going strong.

I remember the last 40 days of your life. Seven surgeries and how you shocked doctors with your "incredible will to fight".

Even on your last week, smelling of infection, you fought for life.

Thank you again,

Tom Foley

Tom Foley
Son

August 29, 2023

Sgt. Foley,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Will County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 17, 2023

Dad,

You have another great grandchild ! His name is Wesley. He is smart like Eva and smiles allot. Patty is with you Dad and the last four Foley kids are still doing well.

Love you !

Tom Foley
Son

June 14, 2023

Dad, you have many great grandchildren. Your kids never gave up Dad. I have a granddaughter and her name is Eva. She likes airplanes just like her dad (Nathan). She is so smart! When I reflect on 2020 and think of your courage I am more proud of you today then in 1983. May God never forget you.

Tom Foley
Son of Officer Denis Foley

March 21, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 16, 2020

Sergeant Foley's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 2-5-18 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
Richton Park Police (IL)

February 5, 2018

I was in the area recently and tried to locate where this happened. It is so developed now a big warehouse may be sitting on the site. The farmsteads are gone. It was a hot and incredibly humid July night with a big bright moon over the deserted farm fields at the gravel road curve of 151st and Gougar Rd. well after midnight. As the story made news that Saturday morning as I recall, the details became more incredible of what happened the night before. But Foley and Mayer are not forgotten. They were in the begining ot it. 1983 was an unreal time in Will County. The fear and anxiety in the Joliet area was palpable, you could feel it especially after the women in the pottery store were murdered. Everyone was carrying a gun until the person responsible was finally apprehended and found responsible for all of the murders. But I want to let the families know things have surely changed but many of us have not forgotten Deputies Foley and Mayer.

Chicago area resident

August 19, 2016

I still remenber that night I was a menber of that sguad and know Dennis very well and stood guard at his services even thought Steven was new I meet him a couple of times and his father whom also was with Will County

Landell Harris
Chicago Police Dept

October 6, 2013

Dad,

Nathan is 25 years old, I see you in him. He is smart, strong and kind. You would be as proud of him as I am of you.

You sacrificed your life so others may live, you are the man!

Thank you for believing in me!

Tom Foley

Son of Officer Foley

August 3, 2013

Sergeant,
You and your brave partner are an inspiration. Your sacrifice has not, and will not be forgotten. Your service and the protection you provided are greatly appreciated and you have earned every honor we could bestow upon you. You earned your wings that day sir. You will always be in my family's prayers. Thank you. Rest easy sir. Honore Semper.

Herb Fernandez
Detention Corporal
Midland County Sheriff's Office TX
Senior Honor Guard Member

July 16, 2013

Rest in Peace, Auxiliary Sergeant Foley. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 29, 2013

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

July 16, 2012

Grandpa,
I never got to meet you but mom has told me great things about you. We just went back to Chicago and you have a memorial in the courthouse. Its really nice. I have pictures of it. I really wish i was given the chance to actually meet you. But one day we will in heaven. I love you very much. Love always and forever your granddaughter Amy

Amy Mast
Granddaughter

October 24, 2011

Dad, in your life you taught me courage and in your death you taught me honor. I will always admire you for never giving up no matter how great of a challenge or situation you faced.

Love always,

Your son

Tom Foley
Son

July 28, 2011

Sergeant Foley, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

September 17, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

August 17, 2010

Sgt. Denis Foley,
All these years I have tried to find out whatever happened...if your killer was ever caught. May you and Deputy Steven Mayer rest in peace. I will never forget that night, or the lives M.J. stole. I hope your family/friends/former co-workers take what comfort they can in the fact your death touched many lives in a positive way. I am sorry I never had the chance to know you or you family personally.

Anonymous

June 11, 2010

DEPUTY FOLEY,
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THE TRAGIC EVENT THAT TOOK THE LIVES OF STEVE AND YOU. YOU GAVE YOUR PERSONAL TIME, TIME AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TO SPEND WITH THE AUXILIARY HELPING TO SAFEGUARD OUR COUNTY. YOU ARE TRULY MISSED. YOU AND STEVE ARE ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS....... RICH WYNN

INV. RICH WYNN
WILL COUNTY SHEIFFS DEPT.

April 30, 2010

Sgt. Foley,
On today, the 26th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Officer for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Will County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. It's a shame that the politician who commuted the death sentence of that animal didn't have no where near the integrity that you and your partner showed.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

August 17, 2009

Thank you for supporting our father.

The Children of Sergeant Denis Foley

none
Son

December 28, 2007

Dennis it has been a long time since that tragic night. I just wish we could have been there to back you up. Rest in Peace.

LT. Dan Mullin (Retired)
Lockport P.D.

December 19, 2007

"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

October 23, 2007

I was a member of the Will County Auxiliary with Sergeant Dennis Foley at that time, a fine deputy and friend I will never forget.

Off. Landell Harris
Chicago Police Dept

September 23, 2007

Rest easy Brother.

Former MD Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

August 17, 2007

Sergeant Foley and Deputy Mayer:

May Your Souls Rest-In-Peace.

For you fellow historians: In 1983, Will County, Illinois, began to resmeble LA/Orange County,CA regarding highway-related murders (although the actual MO was quite different). Here in Southern California, we were still reeling from the "Freeway Murders," and preparing for the 1984 Olympics (which in 1980 were not held here due to the "Freeway Murders").

Eventually, Illinois officials arrested Milton Johnson, while he was attending required visitation related to his parole. At age 19 he was convicted of raping a Joliet woman, torturing his victim with a cigarette lighter in the process. The charge of rape carried a sentence of 25 to 35 years in prison, with a consecutive term of five to ten years added on to the conviction for burglary. Even with "good behavior," he should have remained imprisoned until April 1986. However, he was released in March of 1983.

If Illinois investigators are correct, Johnson being released early would eventually cost at least ten people, their lives and caused understandable paranoia and justifiable fear amongst Will County residents.

Although he was finally convicted for some of the murders and he did receive the Death Penalty, his sentence was commuted as were all other Illinois Death Penalty sentences, by the Governor of Illinois, prior to leaving office....

Semper Fi,
"Major Pain"

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC/LAPD

July 16, 2007