Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy One Of Philly 4th Of July Shooting Victims

PHILADELPHIA — One of two law enforcement officers who were shot Monday night during a July 4th fireworks show in the city is a 17-year veteran of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy John Foster, 44, was struck by gunfire and later treated for the non-life-threatening graze wound to his shoulder, according to Oscar Gamble, a spokesman for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

He is now at home recovering from his injury after being released from Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, according to the sheriff's office.

Gamble said that many Montgomery County sheriff's deputies provide security and specialized aid to neighboring areas, such as Philadelphia, during larger events, such as the Fourth of July fireworks show in the city on Monday night.

Foster has been a member of the bomb squad at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for three years.

"While we are thankful that Deputy Foster and the injured Philadelphia officer are ok, we are troubled by the violence that turned what should have been a celebration into a near tragedy," reads a statement from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Foster and a still-unnamed Philadelphia police officer were shot during the Wawa Welcome American Festival's finale event, which was a fireworks display outside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The shooting occurred a little before 10 p.m. Monday night.

Patch previously reported that the Philadelphia officer is 36 years old and a member of the city police department's Highway Patrol unit. He reportedly suffered a graze wound to his forehead.

No arrests have been reported yet in the shooting.