WVIAAI Scholarships

The West Virginia Chapter has been a driving force for education in the field of arson for nearly twenty years. We are an ordinary group of individuals with an extraordinary mission.

While most people recognize our role in educating firefighters, police officers, insurance investigators, attorneys and private investigators, few people recognize the other missions of this organization.

The West Virginia Chapter currently sponsors two college scholarship programs.

The first scholarship was named in honor of John D. Janey, a Putnam County Deputy Sheriff. John was killed in the line of duty while attempting to arrest an arson suspect.

Our second scholarship effort is named in honor of Robert H. Foster, an Assistant Chief of the Wheeling Fire Department. Chief Foster was killed in the line of duty when he became trapped in a burning building.

We miss them both. Both of these men had many friends within this organization. Some of our members were assigned to investigate the fires and homicides that had taken the life of their friend.

The scholarships are our way of keeping their memory alive.

We want each of you to know that when you spend money on seminar registrations, on Chapter dues, and even buying a shirt with the IAAI logo, you are helping to support two very worthwhile goals of this organization.

We hope you take with you the memory of our friends. Please support the scholarship funds and allow us to keep their memories alive.

West Virginia Chapter
International Association of Arson Investigators
John D. Janey Memorial Scholarship Fund

John D. Janey was a Deputy Sheriff with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.

On August 17, 1989 John was working a surveillance detail on a suspected arson target. At approximately 1:30 AM, a vehicle stopped in front of the residence. A suspect walked toward the house carrying two containers of gasoline. Deputy Janey called for back up and moved in for a closer look.

As the arsonist started to light the accelerant, Deputy Janey ordered him to stop and tried to effect the arrest. The suspect fled into the woods in the rear of the house. A struggle ensued between John and the suspect. During the struggle, the suspect produced a weapon and fatally wounded Deputy Janey.

Deputy Janey’s unyielding determination and valiant devotion to duty were in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement.

The West Virginia Chapter of the IAAI, in conjunction with Nationwide Insurance, has established a Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Deputy Janey. The endowment has now provided its sixteenth scholarship to a Putnam County student attending Marshall University.

The John D. Janey Scholarship Fund commemorates the ultimate sacrifice given in the line of duty be a dedicated police officer and a very good friend.

West Virginia Chapter
International Association of Arson Investigators
Robert H. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund

Download the Scholarship Application [68kb PDF]

Robert Howard Foster, Sr. was an Assistant Chief of the Wheeling Fire Department.

On October 29, 1991, Chief Foster was directing operations at a fully involved residential fire. While firefighters initiated an attack on the upper level of the structure, Chief Foster entered the open garage area on the lower level to investigate further. While inside the garage, the overhead door operator short circuited and the garage door closed, trapping Chief Foster in the heavy smoke.

Firefighters soon discovered that Chief Foster was trapped. However, they were unable to reach him in time to prevent the heavy smoke from taking his life.

The cause of the fire that killed Chief Foster was determined to be arson.

His courage and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service and this organization.

The West Virginia Chapter of the IAAI, in conjunction with Bob’s widow, Mrs. Margaret Foster, has established a Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of our former member. This endowment, that commemorates his dedication and commitment to his career, will provide college scholarships to children of West Virginia fire investigators.