Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dean Foster was shot and killed after responding to a call of suspicious activity at a gas station near the intersection of Saginaw Highway and Thomas L Parkway, in Delta Township. When he arrived he interrupted a robbery in progress. Unbeknownst to Deputy Foster, the two subjects had murdered the attendant prior to his arrival and then put on the service station uniforms in an attempt to obtain more money from additional customers. They shot Deputy Foster when he arrived at the scene. A short time later Police Officer Gerald E. Rosa, of the Battle Creek City Police Department, was struck and killed by an automobile while manning a roadblock in search of the suspects. The suspects were apprehended in New York and returned to Michigan. One, 21, was convicted of Deputy Foster's murder and sentenced to life. Michigan DOC discharged him on May 23, 2020. Discharged could mean released or death. The other suspect, 19, was convicted of the attendant's murder and sentenced to life. As of October 5, 2022, he was still in prison. Deputy Foster had served with the Eaton County Sheriff's Office for 11 months and had previously served with the Grand Ledge Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-C3888D43- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Foster served with the Eaton County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Foster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Dean Ray Foster is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Eaton County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dean Ray Foster's cause is highlighted.
How Dean Ray Foster Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dean Ray Foster is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dean Ray Foster was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Eaton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
