Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, Kansas
End of Watch Friday, April 18, 1997
Kenneth Eugene Snider
Sergeant Kenneth Snider was stabbed to death after responding to a domestic disturbance at a house on the 4500 block of South Juniper Place.
He and three other deputies had responded to the call and were assessing what was happening when the suspect ran through the house. All the deputies followed and a struggle ensued by the back door. Within a matter of seconds, the suspect pulled a knife and stabbed Sergeant Snider in the back, severing a major artery. He attempted to stab the other deputies but was subdued.
Sergeant Snider was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. The suspect had a history of mental illness and was well known to police. He had been arrested in the past for battery on a law enforcement officer and was on parole at the time of the attack. In August 1998, the suspect died during a struggle with detention deputies at the Sedgwick County Detention Facility while incarcerated during his trial.
Deputy Snider had served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department for 20 years.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 20 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
- Offender Killed during fight with prison guards
Most Recent Reflection
View all 50 ReflectionsI was training that night and we had just pulled over a car when the call came for a disturbance at that damned house. We couldn't go cause of our car stop or we would have been there.
While we were on the stop, I got a strange feeling as the driver gave use the usual lies. As I searched his car I found a gun and a straight razor. Just as we cuffed him and my FTD was on spyder, that dreaded tone came out. As I listened, I heard things go from bad to worse.
We raced over there and as I ran into the kitchen I saw Sgt Snider laying there with a Deputy performing cpr. I asked him if he needed to be relieved, but he said no and continued. The paramedics arrived and I helped move him to the front room.
I saw Sgt Snider's face and new it was not good. It was a surreal feeling and with every thing burned into my memories as I held his warm hand asking him to get up, hoping any second he would and expecting him too.
When I got to the hospital I watched how hard they worked to save him. Briefly we had a moment when they said they got his heart going, but then told us they couldn't keep it going.
I see it everytime, as though it just happened.
From the first time I met him, I liked him and he was always pushing to get me certified as he needed me on the streets he would say. I should have been on that call, and wish we had never pulled that car over. I would trade places with my friend anytime.
I know you are in a better place keeping watch over us.
Semper Fi
Former Reserve Deputy Steve Ruttenberg
Sedgwick County Sheriff, Kansas
January 5, 2018
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