By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
A local police officer was recently recognized for life-saving bravery while in the line of duty.
On Saturday, May 26, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Northeast Area Command Captain Jamie Prosser and Lieutenant Noel Roberts presented Moapa Valley resident officer Otto Foster the James S. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial Award.
Foster received the award his actions during an incident that occurred on August 11, 2018. On that day, Foster arrived on the scene of a home fire and pulled a man from the burning structure. Foster risked his life to help save the life of a suicidal man.
“The award is appreciated,” said Officer Foster, “I’m glad I had the training to act and save a life that day. I did no more than the next guy.”
The announcement of the award came on April 14, 2021. Foster, along with 21 other officers were named for the awardat that time. There was an official ceremony planned during the COVID-19 pandemic but unfortunately had to be canceled.
The James S. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial Award is given annually to Nevada Police Officers who go above and beyond the call of duty sacrificing themselves for the people they protect. It was named after Reno Police Officer James Hoff who was murdered during an undercover drug transaction in 1979.
Foster has been a police officer for 29 years and a volunteer firefighter for 8 years. Foster joined LVMPD in 2000 after being a Deputy Sheriff for Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department. He received two Bachelor’s Degrees. The first, in Criminal Justice, is from Weber State University. The second, in Social Psychology , was earned at the University of Utah. Foster was also a Combat Engineer Officer for the US Army.
Foster came to Moapa Valley as a resident officer almost five years ago. However, he has been a volunteer with the Fire Department since 2012. He has been a resident of Moapa Valley for 11 years.
Foster is married to Janell. The couple has 2 sons – one a Metro Officer and the other a combat medic in the US Army – and a daughter who is currently a college student.
“We are extremely proud of Foster,” stated local Metro Sergeant Keegan Doty, “He has always been an excellent example of a good officer.”
