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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
NW-AW0E-ZRM1-7earlier record number BO-US-MI-C3888D43- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Eaton County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Dean is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Dean is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Dean is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 4 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dean was 24. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Dean had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Dean was 24. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dean had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dean was 24. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dean had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.7% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Eaton County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Eaton County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Dean among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Eaton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
