Detective Casey Foster on Wednesday was named Deputy of the Year by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. DCSO also recognized other employees for their continued exceptional service for the year 2021, and the agency also gave out one Civilian Award.
Foster recognized as Deputy of the Year
Foster, a 7-year veteran of the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, was grateful for the recognition.
“Obviously there’s quite a few guys at the office that are deserving of such an award,” Foster said. “It’s an honor for me to be selected for it.”
Foster started his career at the Green River Correctional Complex, where he worked for 7 years before ending his career there at the rank of Sergeant. He then served the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office for a year as a Deputy Sheriff. Foster started his career with DCSO on Feb. 9, 2015.
“I started my career in corrections. That side of law enforcement kind of sparked my interest in going into police work,” he said. “It seemed like a seamless transition.”
In Foster’s first 3 years with DCSO he worked night shift patrol and was utilized as Officer in Charge (OIC), when the Corporal was not on-duty. He was also utilized as an OIC on dayshift patrol in 2019.
During those patrol years Foster earned several DCSO awards including multiple outstanding commendation awards, several education awards, three lifesaving awards, the Sheriff’s Unit Commendation, and the award for Distinguished Service. He also garnered many positive letters from members of the community.
In 2020, Foster was assigned to the CID division as a Narcotics Detective.
“While several viable candidates existed, Casey’s hard work and determination stood out making this an easy decision,” Sheriff Barry Smith said. “Casey immediately began to work with the OPD’s Street Crimes Unit. Detective Foster worked seamlessly within this division earning respect with both our office and the Owensboro Police Department. Casey received multiple awards and letters of accommodation on many successful cases which were ultimately developed.”
On Sept. 1, 2021, Foster was assigned to the new Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. This is a joint task force which includes a local partnership with DCSO, OPD, and Kentucky State Police, as well as federal agencies including the DEA, FBI, and ATF.
Smith said Foster has many qualities and abilities that make him successful and deserving of being named Deputy of the Year.
“Casey has great communication skills, which is very important when you are working with so many agencies,” Smith said. “Casey is a hard worker who can work independently, which is crucial for a detective working in a specialized unit like HIDTA. Casey works well with other people, he takes others’ suggestions well, and listens more than he talks. Casey is the type of guy other people want to be around. He comes off as being non-judgmental. Casey is more concerned about the good of the whole than what is best for him individually.”
Foster said he’s proud to serve with DCSO.
“I enjoy having the opportunity to go out and try to make a difference in the community I live in,” he said.
Foster’s fiancé Mckenzie Eaves also works at DCSO as a Deputy Clerk. Foster has two sons.
Employee awards
Detective Casey Foster
Deputy of the Year
Deputy Kelly Payne
Outstanding Commendation
Deputy Jacob Gould
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation (2)
Education Award
Sergeant Lee Blanton
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Detective Kelsey Skaggs
Outstanding Commendation
Deputy Matt Alexander
Outstanding Commendation
Deputy Chris Hayes
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Corporal Russ Day
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Sergeant Tyler Free
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Corporal Zach Morris
Outstanding Commendation
Patrol Training Officer
Deputy Josh White
Patrol Training Officer
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Deputy Brandon Holeman
Education Award
Deputy Nick Hines
Education Award
Deputy Cameron Edwards
Education Award
Outstanding Commendation
Deputy Kolbe Mattingly
Education Award
Deputy Logan Burnett
Education Award
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Deputy Clay Booth
Advanced Certification
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Deputy Austin Esther
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Lieutenant Chester Freels
Life Saving Award
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Deputy Tom Whitford
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Outstanding Commendation
Deputy Ed Hoskins
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
Deputy Robert Duvall
Sheriff’s Unit Commendation
CSO Gary Jackson
Life Saving Award
Civilian award
Amy Beddow
