Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Terry Eugene Foster

Independence Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Saturday, March 17, 2001

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Terry Eugene Foster

May your loved ones know that you are only slightly ahead of them on their journey and if the listen carefully they will hear your soul singing to guide them home.

March 17, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 6th anniversary of your EOW. You have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case as you are a true hero and heroes never die. I only wish you could have enjoyed some retirement as you worked so hard for it and came so close. COntinue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 17, 2007

Still missed, still loved, and never forgotten!

Police Officer
Independence Mo. Police Department

March 16, 2007

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY:

I STOOD ON OUR DOCK ON THE SPOT WHERE WE WERE MARRIED 6 YEARS AGO AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT HAD BEEN 6 YEARS AGO, IT SEEMS LIKE SOME DAYS 100 YRS AGO AND SOME DAYS JUST YESTERDAY.

I THINK I AM BEING SO SELFISH IN WANTING YOU THERE BESIDE ME AND CASSIE EARLENE WATCHING THE SUNSET ON THE LAKE. I TRULY KNOW YOU ARE ALRIGHT AND HAPPY AND HAVE JUST WELCOMED YOUR 2ND MOTHER FRANKIE TO YOUR NEW HOME. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY BELIEF IN THE AFTERLIFE AND GOD AND THAT ALL OF MY LOVED ONES ARE OKAY, IT IS THE ONES LEFT BEHIND THAT ARE NOT OKAY WITHOUT THAT BELIEF.

I WISH WE WERE SPENDING OUR DAYS AS WE PLANNED, BUT I GUESS GOD NEEDED YOU MORE.

I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU, I LOVE YOU, MISS YOU, AND TO THANK YOU FOR THE 10 HAPPY YEARS OF MEMORIES WE DID HAVE.

YOUR WIFE

DEBBIE FOSTER
WIFE

July 18, 2006

To Officer Terry Eugene Foster, his wife, children, loved ones and his friends:

On this the fifth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family and friends. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Reading the reflections about you and your memorial page was very emotional for me. I am mourning the April 24, 2005 death of my own son from gunfire and am on an emotional rollercoast. When I read about you, I felt such sorrow and pain for you and those who care about you.

That also had to be such an awful night for the officers who were with you. I am thinking of their anquish too and praying for their peace, just as I pray for my son's best friends/fellow officers who shielded him and sheltered him during the firefight after he was shot and who carried his wounded body to safety. My son was a Marine Captain before becoming a cop, and Marines don't leave their wounded and dead. Neither do police officers as is evidenced by the actions in Missouri on March 17, 2001 and California on April 23, 2005.

Officer Foster, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Foster. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication and thirty plus years of service as a law enforcement officer.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Officer Foster gave to his community and the citizens of Missouri, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 17, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05




March 17, 2006

We haven't forgotten you brother.

Police Officer
Independence Mo. Police Department

March 15, 2006

Still thinking of you!

November 23, 2005

Terry I remember March 17th 2001 like it was yesterday; It had been your typical Saint Patricks Day in Independence "DRUNKS and more DRUNKS".
we had both just finished dropping off arrest at the Detention Unit when I ran into you in the Locker Room and I said to you "WHAT'S UP SHORT TIMER" the "MAN WITH ALL THE MONEY" and you reponded not "ME" we both laughed and talked a little bit more about what your plans were after you got out of Police Work and I said see you on the "NEXT ONE" as we both left the Station . Who would have thought that that would have been that last time that I spoke with you for what happend later on that night changed me and others forever . I was sitting in the parking lot of Van Horn High waiting for the next call or for a car stop to roll by the sun had gone down and it had gotten colder . When the "THREE TONES" came over the air; until then the radio had been pretty quite; what I heard next took my breath away "ASSIST THE OFFICER SHOTS FIRED OFFICER DOWN" . I did'nt know which one of us were "DOWN" all I knew was that I had to get there and help fast.
I don't know how that old Crown Vic with stood my driving at that moment but it did . When I got there "AMR" was just taking you away and thats when I learned that it was you who had been hit . Terry you will never know how much that you affected me in the way that I approach Police Work I learned that there are times when you need to have a little patience with the people that we deal with . I for one never saw you lose your "COOL" on a call no matter how the person reacted . I am very "PROUD" to have known you and worked with you for those "FOUR" years "OFFICER TERRY EUGENE FOSTER " one of the true "OLD SCHOOL COPS that paved the way for us "YOUNG GUNS" .
David T. McHenry
former I.P.D.

Sgt. David T. McHenry
Kansas City MO. Airport Police Department

May 22, 2005

It is nearing four years since your murder. I remember the morning that I found out that you had been killed. My answering machine had message after message. I still have a hard time beleiving that this had to happen. I rode beside you quite a few times during the first few years at the department. I learned from you when we handled calls together. While the rest of the ol' timers didn't have anything to say, you always had some thing nice to say. You really made us rookies feel welcome.
I had the honor of driving part of your family to the funeral and to your grave site. It was amazing to see that many police cars in your honor. For miles and miles citizens lined along the highway to pay there respects to you! I was very very touching. I remember as we drove past a dairy farm, closer to your grave site, the cows ran towards the presesional. Your family told me a story about how when you were young you were always worried about the cows in the field when it was cold outside. Seeing those cows run towards you put a smile to all our faces during such a trying time.
I think of you daily. I'll be praying for your family. I'll also pray for the guys that pulled you out of that house that horrible night.
Thank you for watching as we work the road. Your scrafice will NEVER be forgotten.


Independence

March 2, 2005

March 17th, 2001, a day that will never be FORGOTTEN. I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with such a fine officer. It doesn't seem fair so close to retirement, but as I know you would say to all if you were still here, do not be afraid to give the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you Terry for not only what you gave for the community, but what you taught to the rest of the officers at Independence PD. I pray that your family be comforted everytime they think of you. We miss you greatly.

PO J Perry
Indpendence MO PD

July 25, 2004

Your story touched my heart and I grieved for you as if I knew you. It has been 3 years now and I still think of you and how unfair it all seems.

Anonymous

April 19, 2004

Remembering you on the 3rd anniversary of your death. Such a
tragedy, so close to retirement when you could reap some rewards for
all your hard work and dedication. May God comfort all those who are
still grieving your passing. Life is difficult at times and the Lord Jesus
wants to help carry our burdens. He gives us many beautiful promises in
His Word to help us through our valleys. I pray you will feel His
presence and know His peace. God bless!

Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 14, 2004

I was lucky enough to have the oppurtunity to work with Terry.The one thing that sticks out in my mind is how Terry always had a smile on his face.When I was a rookie fresh out of the academy ,Terry was one of the few salty veteran officers who would say hi ,and ask how things were going.

Anonymous

I was lucky enough to have the oppurtunity to work with Terry.The one thing that sticks out in my mind is how Terry always had a smile on his face.When I was a rookie fresh out of the academy ,Terry was one of the few salty veteran officers who would say hi ,and ask how things were going. Terry is deeply missed

Anonymous

Rest in peace brother, your tour is over, watch over all of us.

PO Michael A Baker
Kansas City Missouri PD

Terry,
How I wished things would have turned out differently. When I think I have cried my last tears, their always seems to be more. Everyone tells me this happened for a reason, but I somehow can't stop myself from wishing that I could have done more for you. No matter how much I want things to be different they never will be. We didn't know each other that well, and not a day goes by that I don't think about you. You were defending the weak and you died a hero. From the bottom of my heart please understand that we truly did everything we could for you. I am sure your family knows how lucky they were to have been a part of your life,
You were my co-worker, my friend, and most importantly my brother.

Anonymous

Terry, St. Patrick's Day will be a day that none of your Brothers in Independence will ever forget. Tragedies such as this always seem to happen somewhere else, to somebody else. That wasn't so near midnight on March 17, 2001. The worst possible scenario came true. The only thing we can be grateful for is that your fellow Officer's were able to remove their fallen Brother from the house and narrowly escape with their own lives.


All you wanted was to make it to retirement, which was only a couple of weeks away. Now because of one man's psychotic actions, you and your family is deprived of what you had worked 32 years for.


As the Chaplain stated at your funeral, "For many of you, it may seem as if on March 17th, time stood still." Terry, time is still standing still. You will be forever in our hearts Terry. May God bless you, your family and your Brothers in Independence.

Anonymous

Officer Terry Foster was my friend. One can never lose the feeling of emptiness when a friend has departed but when he is killed an anger is left with the emptiness. This I feel!

Terry all I ask is save me a seat.

Richard

Richard Hopkins Inspector
Independence Missouri

I am a former Law-Enforcment officer and on a few occasions I met Officer Foster. What a nice man he was. I was very hurt when I heard of his senseless death. I will pray for his wife and family. Mr. Foster even gave me advice on a few occasions. I am truly sorry.

Anonymous

May you find ever lasting peace. God bless those who have made the ultimate sacrafice.

Patrolman Justin Farnan
Red Oak Police Department Red Oak, IA

I am currently studying to become a law enforcement officer in Montana.

God Bless the Family of this dedicated officer....

Anonymous

Terry, you will be forever remembered. Your squad is still grieving for you and we will always think of you every time we hear "221". It is not the same working every night and not having you in your district. I know we all miss seeing you in shift meeting and seeing you smile and wave as we drove by you on the streets.

PO Howe
Independence P.D.

I attended the funeral for this great officer. I did not know Officer Foster when I attended, but when I left, I felt like he was part of my own department, and I was part of his. Everyone said so many good things about him and every picture they showed of him was that ear to ear smile. I really can't describe the words of how I fet that day for officer Foster, his family, and his department.

Sgt. J. Belcher
Gardner DPS, Kansas

God Bless you and rest in peace, you did your time, but please keep watching over us. You have an even higher power now.

Patrolman Terrence Stewart
Dept. Veterans Affairs Police Topeka, KS

Terry
I had a few occasions to work calls with you, when working with a neighboring dept. And you my friend were the epidimy of professionalism and integrity. Your example will forever live on as we all hope to leave the same legacy and memeories that you have. May God bless you and yours. You are now one of "His" Eternal Protectors.

Anonymous

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