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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
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- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Willis is the only officer of Greer Police Department remembered here.
Willis is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1904, 3 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willis was 36. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Willis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Willis was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Willis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Saturdays: 17.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Greer Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Greer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.