Honorees

David Foster

Belleville
2000 Honoree

Focus Area:

Defending People From Violence

Organizational Affiliation:

About

David Foster, of Belleville, is a police officer and detective assigned to the Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Section of the Newark Police Department, escorted a sexual assault victim to her apartment to obtain a picture of the suspect, the victim’s former boyfriend. She was afraid to go into the apartment alone for fear that her attacker might still be there. Once inside, the suspect ran out from behind a curtain, firing his gun at both Detective Foster and the victim. As the Detective moved in front of the victim, to shield her, one shot went through his hair, and one went into the radio that he held in front of his face. A third shot struck the Detective in the shoulder and the suspect fired a fourth shot striking Detective Foster in the upper back. As Detective Foster fell against the radiator, he fired one shot which struck the suspect in the chest. Detective Foster was named “Police Officer of the Year,” by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and by Parade Magazine.