Former Edmonds Police Chief Marlo Foster has passed away following a 26-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
According to a news release from the Edmonds Police Department, sent Friday, Mr. Foster died on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Mr. Foster started his law enforcement career in Edmonds in 1963 as a patrol officer. He achieved the rank of sergeant and in 1971 was appointed as the Chief of Police, serving until his retirement in 1984.
“During Chief Foster’s career he took a special interest in working with the State Legislature in the drafting and passage of the legislative bill creating the state’s first Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF I),” the release said. In addition, Mr. Foster helped create the South Snohomish County’s’ central emergency dispatch center (911) and following his retirement was the first coordinator of Emergency Services for the area.
A graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantco, Virginia, Mr. Foster was a member and past president of the Washington State Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (WSLEA) and active in the Washington State Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs’ Association.
A private family interment will be held next week. A public memorial will be scheduled at a later date; details will be announced when they are finalized.
Chief Foster was in my mind the living definition of a superb law enforcement officer and chief of police. Our city was well served by this man, God bless him.
There were none finer than Marlo Foster. Firm but fair; comfortable but dignified; thoughtful but consistent. He was the epitome of police chiefs and the epitome of humanity. He will be missed by the commnity, many friends and of course, his family. My heart goes out to Val, their children and grandchildren and all their friends throughout the Edmonds community.