Former Buchanan County Sheriff C. Ray Foster, a longtime law enforcement officer remembered for his honesty, compassion and ability to connect with people, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, after suffering a massive heart attack while celebrating his 70th birthday with his wife, Debbie.
The couple was sharing a birthday meal at their favorite restaurant near Bristol when Foster became ill. He was taken to a hospital, but medical personnel were unable to revive him.
“This is the hardest post I’ve ever had to make. This is Deb,” Debbie Foster wrote in announcing her husband’s death. “Ray had a massive heart attack today while we were in Bristol celebrating his birthday with lunch at our favorite restaurant. He was taken to Bristol hospital but they couldn’t revive him. I’m still in shock, can’t believe it. Just pray for us, and know that he’s celebrating the end of his birthday with Jesus!!”
Foster’s unexpected death brought an outpouring of grief from across Buchanan County and throughout Virginia. He served as Buchanan County sheriff for 16 years after beginning his law enforcement career with the Grundy Police Department.
Foster graduated from the Southwest Law Enforcement Academy in October 1998 as a member of its 70th basic law enforcement class. He reported for his first day with the Grundy Police Department the following day, which was Halloween.
Five years later, Foster ran for Buchanan County sheriff against Paul Crouse and won the 2003 election. He took office at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 2004, and served the county for the next 16 years.
During his time as sheriff, Foster helped modernize the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and strengthened its work in patrol, criminal investigations, drug enforcement and community protection.
Current Buchanan County Sheriff Allen Boyd said Foster played an important role in his life and law enforcement career.
“Sheriff Ray Foster was a big reason I am where I am today,” Boyd said. “He was down to earth, honest, and never made you wonder what was on his mind. He had a unique ability to empathize with people and talk to them on their level. But beyond all of that, he was my friend. I’m grateful for his friendship, his influence, and everything he taught me. He will be deeply missed.”
That ability to meet people where they were became a defining part of Foster’s years in law enforcement. He was known for stopping to speak with residents, listening to their concerns and helping people whenever he could.
Grundy Police Chief Seth McGlothlin said Foster demonstrated what community policing should look like.
“While I did not have the opportunity to personally work with Ray for many years before his retirement, the time I did spend around him truly showed me the importance of community policing,” McGlothlin said. “Ray was never too busy to stop and speak with people in the community, listen to their concerns, or lend a helping hand to someone in need. He was the embodiment of what community policing should be.
“His kindness, compassion, and willingness to help others are qualities that we should strive to carry forward every day. As law enforcement leaders, it is our responsibility to listen to and pay attention to the communities we serve and to do everything we can to make them better. Ray understood that responsibility and lived it every day.
“He left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to cross his path, and his legacy of service to this community will not be forgotten. He will be dearly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.”
The Grundy Police Department also released a statement mourning the former sheriff, whose law enforcement career began with the town.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of retired Sheriff Ray Foster,” the department said.
“Sheriff Foster began his law enforcement career with the Grundy Police Department before being elected Sheriff of Buchanan County. Throughout his career, he faithfully served the citizens of both the Town of Grundy and Buchanan County, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to the community. We ask that everyone keep Sheriff Foster’s family, friends, former colleagues, and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and in the days ahead.
“Rest in peace, Sheriff Foster. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to our community.”
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute joined the community in remembering Foster and the changes he helped bring to the sheriff’s office.
“Sheriff Foster left a lasting legacy of service in Buchanan County, helping transform the Sheriff’s Office into a modern law enforcement agency focused on patrol, investigations, drug enforcement and protecting the community,” the organizations said in a joint statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Sheriff Foster’s family, friends, former colleagues, and the entire Buchanan County community.”
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith also offered his condolences, saying Foster represented the best of the region he served.
“I mourn the loss of Sheriff Ray Foster of Buchanan County,” Griffith said. “Sheriff Foster dedicated his life to public service, beginning his career in law enforcement in Grundy before being elected Sheriff of Buchanan County. He represented the very best of Southwest Virginia, and the 9th Congressional District will miss him dearly. My deepest condolences go to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. May he rest in peace.”
Foster remained connected with Buchanan County residents in ways that extended beyond his law enforcement duties. During his time in office, he wrote a weekly column for The Virginia Mountaineer, giving readers a closer look at the work of the sheriff’s office.
His wife is also familiar to Mountaineer readers as the author of “Rocklick News,” a community column appearing weekly in the newspaper.
A lifelong Buchanan County resident, Foster lived in the Poplar Creek section of Grundy and was a faithful member of Harman Freewill Baptist Church. Before entering law enforcement, he worked for United Coal Co.
Foster loved serving as sheriff and considered his employees part of his family. He was known for never asking a deputy to do something he was unwilling to do himself.
Those closest to Foster described him as hardworking, honest and straightforward. He often introduced himself simply by saying, “I’m just Ray.”
Outside of work, Foster enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and reading Westerns. Above all, he loved his family.
Foster was the son of the late Kenneth Ervin and Verna Lou Collins Foster. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Judy Carol Foster Ramey, and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Debbie Jean Daugherty Foster; his daughter, Crystal Leann Foster McCoy and her husband, Stanley; grandchildren Amelia Rae McCoy, Keisha Blair and her husband, Justin, Brittany Moore and her husband, Nick, and Adam McCoy and his wife, Sarah; eight great-grandchildren; several nephews; and his canine companion, Minnie Foster.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the Grundy High School gymnasium. Members of Sandy Valley Lodge No. 17, AF&AM, will conduct Masonic rites at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Grundy High School gymnasium, with Pastors Eddie Wilson and Rodney Stiltner officiating. Burial will follow at Stiltner Cemetery on Poplar Creek in Grundy.
Grundy Funeral Home is serving the Foster family.
