Former Edmonds Police Department Chief of Police Marlo Foster passed away on Feb. 11, 2013, after a 26-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Chief Foster started his law enforcement career with the Edmonds Police Department in 1963 as a patrol officer.

He achieved the rank of sergeant and in 1971 was appointed as the Chief of Police where he served 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.)

Chief Foster was a member and past president of Washington State Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (WSLEA) and active in the Washington State Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs’ Association.  He was also a graduate of the FBI national Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Chief Foster also helped create the South Snohomish County’s’ central emergency dispatch center (911) and was the first coordinator of Emergency Services for the area (ESCA) following his retirement from the Edmonds Police Department.

A private family interment will be held a week from Friday.  A public memorial will be held at a later date.  Details of that public service will be announced when formalized.