The Kenner Police Department is currently experiencing a time of mourning following the death of Sergeant Peter Foltz, a respected 20-year veteran of the force. Sgt. Foltz unfortunately passed away in the line of duty on Wednesday after having a medical incident while driving to testify in a high-profile murder trial, as reported by NOLA.com. According to WWLTV, the funeral arrangements have been set for Nov. 20 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans, preceded by a visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the same day.
Sgt. Foltz was slated to appear in Jefferson Parish's 24th Judicial District Court to provide crucial testimony in the second-degree murder trial of Oswaldo Dachuna, who is accused in the death of Alejandro Quiroz. Regrettably, Sgt. Foltz never made it to court; it's been detailed that he managed to safely pull his vehicle over to the side of the Pontchartrain Expressway before succumbing to the medical event. An off-duty Gretna police officer initially spotted him and swiftly called for assistance, but efforts to revive Foltz were unsuccessful. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley conveyed the weight of the loss to the department, stating in a quote obtained by NOLA.com, "It kind of shocked everybody. It was so sudden."
The Kenner Police Department's official statement, shared by local media outlets including WDSU, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sgt. Foltz and extended thanks to the Gretna Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, and New Orleans EMS for their support during the incident. They also requested for the community to keep Foltz's family, friends, and colleagues in their thoughts during this challenging time.
Paying tribute to Sgt. Foltz, Chief Conley spoke on his character and devotion to duty, "Pete dedicated his life and his career to the citizens of Kenner, and he did it very well," as reported by NOLA.com. "Even his last act, in the worst situation of his life, he thought enough to pull over and not put the public at risk." The loss of Sgt. Foltz is felt deeply within the community and the broader law enforcement fraternity which has come together to honor his two decades of service and commitment.
