Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Capt. Foster,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Harris County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 22, 2023

Rest in peace Captain Foster.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 23, 2020

I never had the privilege of meeting Captain Foster, he was killed before I joined the department. I learned about him 2 years ago, after being tasked with creating the Officer Down Memorial page on our department web site. I spoke with those who had known him, read through his personnel file, and spoke with his surviving wife, who had also been a deputy with Precinct 5. What I learned was that Jerry Foster was a man of rare qualities. Like other officers Jerry answered a calling to serve and protect others, and he did that faithfully throughout his career, but Jerry was more than that. He was the guy you wanted backing you up, the guy you wanted as a friend, and a guy that was honest, compassionate, smart, and funny. Jerry left an impression on those that knew him and to those he served and the world is poorer for his loss. Many years have passed since Captain Foster was taken from us, but he will never be forgotten. Rest well brother.

Sergeant Roy Guinn
Precinct 5 Constable

January 24, 2018

Jerry, last Thursday I attended the annual memorial service conducted by Chief Randy Johnson and the Toll Road authorities every year to honor deputies who have died in the line of duty while serving on the Toll Roads of Harris County.
You have been on my mind since that service. You are still missed here at Precinct 5 and your memory and stories of your work still abound.

Captain Leroy Michna
Harris County Constable Precinct 5

May 18, 2015

May 6, 2015 - It does not seem that long ago. I think of you and BJ and the big hugs and smiles when we met at each event and conference. Our times together I still treasure as the memory of you comes into my mind quite often. Gone but not forgotten as you made such an impression n my life!

Kathleen Koski
Friend

May 6, 2015

Heroes live forever, Captain Foster, and we will never forget. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for the citizens of Harris County and the great State of Texas.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

October 22, 2013

Poppie,

I miss you so much. I only had 13 years with you, and that was not enough time. Now I'm an adult with a child of my own. I wish you could have met her. She obviously gets her hieght from you, and she has been talking about following in your path. She wants to be a Marine and Police Officer. Thank you for raising my mother to be so amazing, she has always been the perfect mother...and she is so much like you! I think about you all the time. Love you!
granddaughter

Heather
Granddaughter

February 27, 2013

Rest in peace, Captain Foster. Your service and sacrifice to the citizens of Harris County and the great State of Texas are not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

October 22, 2012

18 years today, seems like only yesterday and today all mixed into one. U are so sorely missed. I see you in so many things everyday.
I can look at our grandson, only 6 months old, when you had to go home. He now is a grown man.
Thank you for being you and taking care of everyone and teaching all of us, as only you could, every day.
I miss you and love you more today than yesterday.
A wonderful "gift from God," to be with us.
Love you my honey and always will.
RIP
bj

B. J. Foster, Retired Deputy
Spouse

October 22, 2011

Rest in peace, Captain Foster. You're not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.

October 22, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 18th 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.

Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace. I pray for solace for your family.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater. Pittsburg Police Dept., eow 4/24

October 22, 2011

I am sad to see another anniversary of your death is approaching. May your family celebrate the joyful memories that they had with you. We miss BJ being so far away.

Christina Gernale
Sister of Officer Conrad Gernale, EOW 9-6-02

October 15, 2010

My dearest one,
The time is always ticking. Living here in Ut. now is lovely and you would love being here with the kids. My heart is so heavy due to here we have now lost 4 young wonderful officers this year. So sad. Always brings me back to our moment.
I thank you for all you did and are doing for me in my growth and love for my fellow man and women.
I miss you more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow.
My sweet husband, Best Friend, co-worker, father and Poppie.
All my love always and forever,
bj

Ms. B.J. Foster, spouse (retired Deputy)
Harris County Constable Pct. 5

August 27, 2010

Captian Jerry Ralph Foster and family, may God bless each and every one of you. Thank you for your sacrafice.

Constable Todd Booher
Grayson County Constable Pct. 3

June 20, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

April 24, 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

February 7, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

VanDenBerghe
NH

October 19, 2007

Hi sweetie,
Well it is October, again, it seems to come so quickly every year and then it drags by. We now have another in law enforcement, Scotty is now Okla. State Trooper. How proud our nephew has made us following in his dad, yours and my foot steps. He knows his guardian angel is always watching out for him. Being in OKC last weekend brought back so many sweet memories. Thank you for that time.
Just remember you left such a lasting impression, knowledge, grace and wisdom to us all to live on the rest of our lives. You are always taking care of us all.
Miss you with all that is in me.
The Honor Guard gave me a pic of them, you must be so proud.
Till next time, my sweet prince.
All my love,
bj

Spouse

October 1, 2006

Hi my sweetie,
This National Police Week was the most emotional since our first visit. Pct.5 Honor Guard was there 10 in number and on stage to honor you and all fallen officers. They stood proud and tall and were so very beautiful and humble. In their loving faces I saw you so clearly for you were, are and always been there for all your officers. Your glow was in all their faces in remembering you. I have prayed for this for all these years and God has been good to us all and what a blessing to see "your guys and dolls on stage."
Miss you as much today as yesterday and always,
Love you with all my heart,
bj

Mrs. B. J. Foster
Harris County Constable, Pct. 5/ Spouse

May 17, 2006

Daddy, I am doing my best everyday to be the kind of person you raised me to be. One day last week your Great Granddaughter saw a picture of you and I together and I told her all about you. She is my sunshine. (Can you believe I am a Grandmother?) I now know the bond between Grandparents and Grandchildren. You would be so proud of all of your Grandchildren. You were always my rock, my strength when I was about to fall. You taught me to be myself and that family is the most important thing and to always take time to laugh, live and love. I miss you so very much. I love you always, Deanna.

Deanna Holladay

February 24, 2006

Over ten years have past but I still shed tears, don’t know if they will ever stop. I never thought the passing of a friend and coworker would ever affect me the way it has with your passing. But, I know part of who I am today was learned from you and for that I will always be thankful. Thank you for being a mentor and a friend. I will see you at the end of my watch.

James N. Skarvan Captain
Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5

July 28, 2004

October 2003....Ten years, it seems so long ago and yet it seems just yesterday. My darling, thank you for leaving us all with such a legacy. Just knowing you, has been such a blessing and made our lives so much easier and more fulfilled. I still miss you like always but never forget the boyish smile and those eyes that let you know just what you were thinking, good or bad......You treated everyone with such fairness and grace. What a man. How very, very lucky for me that the Lord loaned you for almost 20 years to me. For all these things I say "Thank You. I miss you sooooo much. Thanks for the memories. I love you always.

bj

B.J. Foster, widow
Harris County, TX

October 12, 2003

Thanks to Captain Foster for his many years of dedicated service to his community as well as his country. To this fine officers family I hope that it gets easier with each passing day. God Bless you for your sacrifice.

Captain Scott Wright
Mount Holly Police Department

Time goes by and it still seems like yesterday you went home. I miss my very best friend, soul mate, lover, mentor, the best police officer every known, my husband, confident and the most special man I have ever known.
Without Jerry's love, strength, devotion, leadership and being guided by the Lord, myself, Eric and Dee would not be what we are now. Just knowing him made everyone bigger and better.
How proud I was and still am to have lived, loved and worked with you.
I miss U still, Love bj

B. J. Foster, wife