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Night Policeman

Willis T. "Zonk" Foster

Greer Police Department — Greer, SC

Felonious

End of Watch July 2, 1904

Age 36

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 19 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Night Policeman Zonk Foster was shot and killed while in a foot pursuit with bootleggers through a wooded area near the old Wayside Inn. He had observed the man duck into the wooded area and, believing the man had liquor hidden nearby, started to follow him. He was ambushed by the man and shot twice. Three men were charged with his murder but were acquitted at trial. Policeman Foster had served with the Greer Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-SC-1522D24A
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.
Night Policeman Foster gave the Greer Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Foster.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Greer Police Department

Location Greer, SC

Platform Identity greerpd.greenville.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 2, 1904

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Acquitted

Night Policeman Willis T. "Zonk" 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Greer Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 438 officers

61.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willis T. "Zonk" Foster's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Willis T. "Zonk" Foster Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willis T. "Zonk" Foster is highlighted in Jul.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willis T. "Zonk" Foster was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518