Montco Deputy Grazed By Bullet July 4th In Philly Is Honored

NORRISTOWN, PA—Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff John Foster couldn’t thank the Philadelphia police enough for their help after he was shot in the shoulder during the July 4th fireworks on the Parkway in Philadelphia Sunday night.

“They were phenomenal,” Foster said Thursday after the Montgomery County commissioners issued a proclamation to Foster for his bravery on the job. “I can’t speak highly enough of the Philadelphia police officers.”

Foster said the Philadelphia police William Toughill, Jr. helped him get safely to the hospital and contact relatives after he was grazed by a bullet at 9:45 p.m. Toughill also received a proclamation from the commissioners for bravery.

Sergio Diggs, 36, a Philadelphia officer, was grazed on the forehead by a bullet. The two were there providing security while thousands watched fireworks outside the Philadelphia Art Museum.

“It was a chaotic scene,” Foster said. “But fortunately myself and Officer Diggs just received minor graze wounds. We were lucky. We weren’t targeted.

"We just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or maybe the right place at the right time. I don’t know. Either one, we were fortunate to walk away with just a few scratches.”

Philadelphia police are searching for suspects, and believe a gun was fired from a mile away.

Foster, 44, a 17-year-veteran sheriff’s deputy, thanked everyone for their support. Several Philadelphia police officers who helped Foster attended the ceremony Thursday.

Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Killenny said he and his deputies were concerned when they heard that Foster and Diggs were shot.

“Thankfully, we had a sigh of relief when we learned they both officers had been treated at local a local hospital for graze wounds and were released,” Killenny said

"Although tragedy was averted only by inches, the prevalence of violence that has increasingly spilled into public places is troubling,” Killenny continued.

Foster, a 17-year-veteran, was at the celebration serving as a member of the department bomb squad.
Killenny said that the Philadelphia police and Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies work together at big events.

In the courthouse, Foster greets visitors and employees with a smile and kind words.

“He remembers everyone’s name and little details about everyone,” Kilkenny said. “When I spoke to him Tuesday, he was really concerned about his son who was up in the mountains at a Boy Scout camp and didn’t want this to distract him from getting the Boy Scout experience."

Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, chairwoman of the commissioners, wished Foster a speedy recovery.

She expressed appreciation for his work in the bomb disposal unit, which provides a high level of expertise and professionalism.

Commissioners Kenneth E. Lawrence thanked Philadelphia police for taking care of Foster.

“He is one of the most popular county employees,” Lawrence said. “ You are always smiling. Thank you for your service. Everybody knows you. Everybody love you.”

Commissioner Joseph C. Gale said he has the pleasure of knowing Foster for 11 years.

“God was looking out for you.”