New York State Police, New York
End of Watch: Thursday, September 20, 1984
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 3524
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 20, 1984
Weapon Used: Rifle; .222 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Investigator Richard Snyder was shot and killed while conducting an investigation on Corn Field Road in Mamakating.
Investigator Snyder had previously arrested the subject, and the man had stated that he would kill the man who arrested him. When Investigator Snyder arrived at the house after 8:00 p.m., he was ambushed and shot three times.
After killing Investigator Snyder, the suspect placed his body in the trunk of his patrol car and drove it to New York City. While the disappearance of Investigator Snyder was being investigated, the suspect hung himself near Princeton, New Jersey. The suspect had been released on bail for conspiracy and attempted robbery. He had also been a suspect in at least one other murder in the area and
Investigator Snyder's body was found on October 2, 1984, in the trunk of his patrol car off of Wards Island, New York City.
Investigator Snyder was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the New York State Police for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.