R. Tyrone Foster (1958 - )

Bristol native R. Tyrone Foster grew up in public housing, where he was inspired by his hardworking father, who encouraged his children to strive for their goals. He worked for the Electrolux Corporation for 24 years before graduating from the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. Foster joined the Bristol police department and during more than two decades he worked as a patrolman and a detective, while also serving as a hostage/crisis negotiator, gang investigator, field training officer, and member of the adult drug treatment court. Dedicated to serving and improving his community, Foster officiated Virginia High School League basketball games for nearly 20 years; coached little league football, basketball, and baseball; volunteered at the Boys Club of Bristol; and served as a member of the executive board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes serving southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee. He has also served on the board of Bristol Baseball Inc., which operates the city’s minor-league baseball team.

Foster became the first African-American member of the Bristol School Board in 2008, where he was a strong advocate for students and worked to increase diversity among the teaching staff. He sat as president of the Virginia School Boards Association and earned the organization’s Award of Distinction. Elected the first African-American sheriff of Bristol in November 2021, Foster has worked with the city’s police and fire chiefs, commonwealth’s attorney, and school officials to enhance community awareness, and partnered with community agencies to curb recidivism by fighting drug abuse and addressing mental health challenges.

2024 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.