Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Melissa Foster was killed in an automobile crash when her patrol car was struck head-on by a vehicle that crossed the center line on Gender Road. The vehicle was being driven by a suspected drunk driver.
At approximately 1:30 am, Officer Foster was responding to a non-emergency call involving a prowler and was following another patrol car. When the other vehicle crossed the center line, the first patrol car swerved to avoid a collision. However, Officer Foster was unable to take evasive action, and her patrol car was struck. She was flown to Grant Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
The driver of the vehicle that struck her patrol car was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. The suspect had a previous conviction of involuntary manslaughter in 1997. On August 9, 2005, the suspect was sentenced to 13 years in prison and the lifetime suspension of his driver's license.
Officer Foster had served with the Columbus Division of Police for seven years.
Survivors
She is survived by her two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-20618B96- 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.
Police Officer Foster gave the Columbus Division of Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Foster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Melissa M. 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melissa M. Foster's cause is highlighted.
How Melissa M. Foster Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 13 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melissa M. Foster is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melissa M. Foster was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
