By Michelle Hunter
The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
KENNER, La. — A Kenner police officer driving to court to testify in a murder trial died after suffering a “medical incident” on the Pontchartrain Expressway in New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities.
Sgt. Peter Foltz, 45, was a 20-year veteran of the department, a thoughtful, thorough professional, Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said Thursday.
“It kind of shocked everybody. It was so sudden,” Conley said.
Foltz was the lead detective in the department’s investigation into the death of Alejandro Quiroz. He was scheduled to give testimony at Jefferson Parish’s 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna on Wednesday afternoon for the second-degree murder trial of suspect Oswaldo Dachuna, 61.
It appears that Foltz suffered a medical emergency while driving westbound on the Expressway, and pulled over to the side of the roadway near the Tchoupitoulas exit, according to Conley.
An off-duty Gretna police officer spotted the vehicle and stopped to check on the driver. The officer called for emergency services and New Orleans police after realizing that Foltz was in distress, authorities said.
Unfortunately, Foltz could not be revived.
“Pete dedicated his life and his career to the citizens of Kenner, and he did it very well,” Conley said. “Even his last act, in the worst situation of his life, he thought enough to pull over and not put the public at risk.”
Foltz was born and raised in Seattle. He came to the New Orleans area and joined the Kenner Police Department in 2005. He moved to the investigations bureau as a detective in 2014, handling any high-profile and juvenile cases, Conley said.
His work often brought him in contact with prosecutors and staff at the Jefferson Parish Children’s Advocacy Center, an agency that helps investigate child abuse and provides treatment for victims.
Foltz was promoted to sergeant in September and returned to patrolling the road.
“He was a mentor to a lot of young officers, teaching them investigative techniques,” Conley said. “He really enjoyed that.”
The department has seen an outpouring of emotion and support as word of the death has spread. Foltz touched many in the community, according to Conley, who called him a gentleman and a professional.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized. Foltz died in the line of duty and will be afforded all honors, Conley said.
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