Fresno Deputy Police Chief Keith Foster arrest and the impact on the community

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- All of the suspects have been arrested in the case. Meanwhile, the story has exploded on the internet -- even trending nationally on Facebook.

A trusted face and a known city leader -- for almost 30 years deputy Chief Keith Foster has served the Fresno community as a peace officer. Now he's the one in custody the FBI said for trafficking drugs. Police Chief Jerry Dyer said he's shocked and at a loss for words.

"In time this too shall pass. But in the interim we're going to have to deal with the fallout of this," said Dyer.

Foster holds one of the top six highest positions in the department. So it wasn't uncommon to see him speak on behalf of Fresno police.

"The cultivation and distribution is a national concern," said Deputy Chief Keith Foster. Like this 2012 city council request to ban pot from the Valley floor -- a drug he'd be accused of distributing just three years later.

So will Foster's arrest affect current cases? Criminal defense attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt says it's not an issue.

"Deputy Chief Foster is so high up in the organization it's unlikely that it will affect current cases," said Hammerschmidt.

That's because Fosters not directly involved with investigations like detectives. Meanwhile community leaders said they're in disbelief but stand by Foster until he's proven guilty.

"Of course it does hit home. Because not only was he a city leader but he was a friend. So it does hurt," said Pastor DJ Criner.