Charleston Police Department, West Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, May 23, 1931
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 1 month, 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Fall
Date of Incident: May 18, 1931
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 6 months
Patrolman Dayton Foster succumbed to injuries sustained five days earlier when he fell off of a 25-foot cliff while struggling with a suspect near the man's home on Gardner Street (modern-day Garrison Avenue).
He and two other officers had responded to the home for a domestic disturbance call and placed both parties under arrest. As they searched the house the male subject fled with Patrolman Foster in pursuit. Patrolman Foster caught him a short distance away and the two began to struggle, at which point they fell down the cliff.
The suspect pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in intermediate court and was sentenced to serve six months in the county jail and fined $25 plus costs.
Patrolman Foster had served with the Charles Police Department for only six weeks. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and five sons.