Denise Rockenstein–Staff writer
CLEARLAKE — Police Chief Allan McClain made a special presentation to start the Clearlake City Council meeting on Thursday. McClain presented a certificate of commendation to resident Walt Foster for the concern he displayed for a fellow citizen.
Foster has been a delivery person for Sears for the past year and a half. While on a recent delivery, he encountered a man whose medical health concerned him. He said that when he went to deliver an appliance to the man”s residence, at first the customer did not want to let him in. It is store policy, however, that the delivery person gets a signature or returns the goods and he convinced the man to let him in.
When Foster entered the residence he said could see that the man was not in good health. He asked if he could assist him in any way or if he wanted Foster to call somebody to help. “He said he hadn”t had a glass of water in a couple of days, so I got him some water,” Foster said, adding that the man refused to let him call anyone else for help. “It really disturbed me. No one should have to live like that.”
Foster said it took him about a half an hour to come to terms with the situation and decided to tell his boss. A report was then made at the Clearlake Police Department and personnel was dispatched to check the gentleman”s welfare.
“If Walt had not done what he did, I believe that this gentleman would not be here today,” Chief McClain said.
The certificate presented to Foster in part, reads as follows: “In recognition for your quick thinking and subsequent actions which led to emergency services being alerted of a gravely disabled citizen who was in need of immediate emergency medical assistance. Your unselfish actions are to be commended. You have set the standard for others to follow and we thank you for your commitment to the City of Clearlake and its citizens.”
Foster is a life-long Lake County resident, born and raised in Lakeport. He and his wife Amanda currently reside in Clearlake with their two children, Patrick and Alexis.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
