Thursday Marks Seven Years Since Journalist James Foley Was Killed

The anniversary of freelance war correspondent James Foley's death was Thursday.

Foley worked as a journalist in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lybia and Syria before he was held captive and beheaded by ISIS on Aug. 19, 2014. He was in the Raqqa region of Syria.

Foley was 40 years old when he died.

According to the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation website, Foley was detained by Colonel Muammar Gadaffi’s Libyan regime for 44 days in 2011.

In January of 2012, Foley began what would be many trips in and out of northern Syria as a freelance video journalist. His last trip back to New Hampshire took place in October of that year.

"The Foley Family’s final communication with Jim was one week before he was kidnapped on November 22, 2012, in northern Syria. The family never heard his voice again," is posted on the website.

Foley was the oldest of five children and the first-born son of Diane and John Foley. He grew up in Wolfeboro but his parents made the city of Rochester their home for 25 years and that is the community they lived in when Foley was killed.

They hold an annual run and walk every fall in Rochester even though they have moved out of the city and the headquarters for the foundation is now in Portsmouth.

This year's event will be held on Oct. 23.

When the community center in Rochester was renamed in honor of James Foley in May, Diane Foley said it was a huge honor.

"Probably one of the best ones of all, to be honored by the community center in Rochester, where so many wonderful things happen," Diane Foley said.

The community center on Wakefield Street houses a food pantry as well as a clothing and thrift store.

The foundation's awards ceremony will be held live on Thursday. People can log in starting at 7:45 p.m.