FOY Tweet

Hours after a Sam Houston State University student posted a negative comment on Twitter about an officer killed in the line of duty, the Texas resident found herself in jail on unrelated charges, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.

According to The Huntsville Item, Monica Foy posted about the recent shooting death of Harris County (Texas) Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth, who was killed August 31. Shannon J Miles is accused of coming up behind Goforth as he pumped gas into his patrol car and shooting Goforth in the back of the head. He continued to fire on him after he hit the ground. 

Foy’s Tweet said, “I can’t believe so many people care about a dead cop and no one has thought to ask what he did to deserve it. He had creepy perv eyes …”

Shortly after the post went viral, social media users began criticizing Foy’s comment, which led her to delete the post, as well as her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Monica Foy I hope all law enforcement get to know your name. she said she is glad the police officer was murdered.

— good time (@goolbike) September 1, 2015

However, someone tipped off police that Foy had her own trouble with the law. She was wanted on an outstanding warrant for assault causing bodily injury.

“Somebody called in and gave a tip,” Lt. Brady Fitzgerald said. “The subject was wanted in our location. We checked to see if there was a warrant and there was, through Harris County. Once the warrant was confirmed, we went to a location where she reportedly was. She was taken to the Montgomery County jail on the Harris County warrant.”

Fitzgerald didn’t know whether Foy’s Twitter comment is what led to her being arrested. He did say whoever called in with the tip on the warrant also knew Foy’s current location.  

Foy paid the $1,000 bond and was released the same day.

SHSU quickly took to its Facebook page posting a statement on the incident, along with photos of University Police officers, students and staff showing solidarity with the fallen officer.

“The individual opinion of a student does not reflect the beliefs of Sam Houston State University or its 20,000 other students. Sam Houston State is renowned internationally for its criminal justice programs and many in Texas law enforcement are proud SHSU alumni,” SHSU posted to its Facebook page Tuesday. 

“We fully support and are thankful for the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect and serve communities across the nation. We mourn the loss of any officer and in no way condone the recent and senseless violence that has occurred in Texas and across the United States against those who have sworn to protect us.”

The post has many calling on the university to take disciplinary action against Foy, with some calling for her expulsion.

SHSU posted on Facebook that Foy’s “remarks will be evaluated to determine if the (Student Code of Conduct) was violated following standardized due process. The university has an ongoing commitment to taking actions that strengthen dialog and understanding between our students and the law enforcement community.”

Sam Houston president Dana Hoyt released a statement Wednesday denouncing Foy’s post.

“Yesterday, an individual chose to make an insensitive and inflammatory remark that insulted the memory of Officer Goforth and his fellow men and women who serve in law enforcement. It was absolutely unacceptable behavior,” Hoyt said. “Those who would do harm, whether by word or deed, should and will pay the consequences through lawful means. In the case of Ms. Foy, she shared her remarks publicly and the public has undeniably rebuked this deplorable action. She will have to live with the repercussions of her choice. It is my sincere hope that Ms. Foy will come to understand the hurt she has caused, learn from it and make the necessary changes to become a person who embraces the values we hold dear at Sam Houston State University.

She attends my alma mater. She’s about to get drummed out. Students are pissed. #monicafoy #shsu @JustOwnIt70 @Jesse_sDad

— Seamus (@SeamusTx) September 2, 2015

“Let me be very clear, her student affiliation should in no way be the basis for judging a university that has put serving others and bettering the community first and foremost for well over a century,” Hoyt continued. “As evidenced by the overwhelming response from our Bearkat family, the callous remarks made by Ms. Foy on her personal Twitter account are not a reflection of the values held by Sam Houston State University, our graduates, the employees, or the 20,000 students attending this institution. We are neither accountable nor responsible for the personal actions of this individual.”

Nunez writes for The Huntsville (Tex.) Item