Patrol Sergeant Kenneth Eugene Snider Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office Kansas Friday, April 18, 1997  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

The Last Call
In Honored Memory of Sgt. Kenneth E. Snider

As Read by Governor George Pataki
at the 2003 New York State Police Memorial


“We all remember the day our friend made his last call
We honor his memory and his deeds
He placed society above his earthly needs
We remember the last time we joked together at roll call
The last trip he made down the squad room hall
The last words of instruction, encouragement, and friendship we heard
We remember his quick smile, his sharp wit
The boundless energy for his life’s work
All without regret
We shall remember him long after those he served Shall forget
We believe we remember that last call
Where he was called upon to give his all
Whether a burglary or domestic violence we think we know
For in that moment another voice called him for joy
And us for sorrow
The last call our friend answered in the line of duty
Was not of man
It was a call to peace, a call to rest
For our friend had given his best
He had passed every test…
When God called him home.”

Sgt. Oscar Thomasson
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
2009-10-16

I just came across this site while reading about the recent SGCO Deputy ambushed in the line of duty and found out about this incident. I remember him from my time with the Clearwater PD and know he is dearly missed by many. I send my respect to his peers and prayers to his family.

John Grimes
Formerly Clearwater PD
2009-10-05

Im James Stevenson or Jc son. You were a great friend of his and he misses you everyday but i want to stop in here and say after my dad was a cop for 40 years and he has retired all of us in a law enforcement family are all afected by what happens when a officer is killed it doesnt matter if it was yesterday or in 20 years.

Cody Stevenson

2009-09-30

Kenneth E. how about a cup of "Man Pop", for the road Bud. I think I still have your dept award designs around here somewhere. Remember those, OMG. I'll never forget you. I'll stop and talk the next time I go out to visit Beverly. You are only 100 feet away.
Next time I see you we'll have a cup of that "Nector Of The God's.
Your Friend B

(Ret) Capt. Bryan Brimer
Sedgwick County Sheriff Dept
2009-09-29

I sit here today and I can not help but think of you. You were one of a kind SNAAZ!! You live on forever in our memories.

Anonymous

2009-09-29

After reading these reflections i know you will make welcome another young man from your agency that was taken from his loved ones recently. It sounds like you were one of the best, making jokes, being a friend and a leader and for some reason it seems EVIL always targets the best. Your suspect has had to meet his maker as well and now burns for an enternity. God Bless you sir

Gary Mintz, Public Safety Supervisor
Warren Wilson College D.P.S. NC
2009-09-29

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twelth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
2009-04-29

I am sitting here stunned looking at your photo and finding you were taken too! I hadn't been here since reading about Chris. You were another of the night crew who treated the military "reserve wannabes" like every other deputy. You busted us out and we had some good laughs riding along. I will never forget us responding to the "man with a shotgun" on North Rock Road one night. I thought you were going to kill us both before we got there, just driving like a mad man. Ha Ha. Thanks for the example you were to me. You, all the night crew and Sgt. Parker in the 80's were men who impressed me and exemplified what being a Deputy Sheriff was all about. May God bless your family. Until we meet again..take it easy brother.

Sergeant Ramsey Mannon
Effingham County SO GA
2008-12-16

It's hard to believe that it has been eleven years since that night that one of our officers knocked on my door to tell me you had been stabbed and were "code blue, cram zero" enroute to St. Francis. I drove like a fool to the hospital to be there when you arrived. I knew when I saw you that I had lost my partner and one of my best friends. The grief I felt was almost unbearable. I couldn't believe that a stupid steak knife could kill a man who was larger than life.I almost lost my mind at times for several months after. It took years to be able to think of you without crying.
But we go on. I have wonderful memories of the good times we had as patrolmen, detectives and sergeants together on third detail. You were the best Kenny. There will never be another like you.
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and who disquised as a mild mannered sheriff's officer fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the american way. Bomp Ba Baaah!!
Take care pal. God bless you.

Lt. Jerry Byerly, Retired
Sedgwick County Sheriff Dept
2008-06-18

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and close friends today as they drift back into the past and remember those fond memories of you. You have not been forgotten as a hero never dies. Continue to keep watch over all of those close to you as they continue to carry you in their hearts. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2008-04-18

I AM AN ADMIRER OF THIS WEBSITE AND VISIT IT OFTEN. I WENT TO WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY AND STUDIED CRIMINAL JUSTICE. I OFTEN DID RIDE ALONGS WITH SEDGWICK COUNTY DEPUTIES WHEN I LIVED IN WICHITA, AND DECIDED TO READ ABOUT THEIR FALLEN DEPUTIES. AS I READ THE REFLECTIONS ABOUT SGT. SNIDER...I LAUGHED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. IT SOUNDS AS IF HE WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT EVERYONE HOPES TO WORK BESIDE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR CARRER. THE BEST STORY "TELL DR. SNIDER" IN THE WHITE LAB WAS SO FUNNY I HAD TO SHARE IT WITH MY CO-WORKER. I'M SURE THAT HE IS MISSED TERRIBLY BY MANY! HEAVEN NEEDED A FUNNY MAN!

SUSIE THORNE
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY S.O.

SUSIE THORNE (DISPATCHER/WIFE OF DEPUTY)
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
2008-01-24

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2007-10-25

Snider, that's what I knew him as. I was a young teenager when I met him at the Thunder hockey games. I am an avid hockey fan but I would usually spend most of the game talking and hearing stories from Snider. For a kid without a father this meant the world to me. The sad thing is I didn't realize it until now. Attending his funeral I felt as if I'd lost a father. While I've had my petty troubles with the law, I'll never give more respect to anyone than law enforcement officers. Ken showed me that behind that badge is a person you just might call a friend and a role model. God bless all of you.

kyle boyd

2007-10-04

Hey Bud:

I just found this page. Ken was a training officer when I went thru the academy - then became a beat partner when I went to third shift.

But, more importantly, he became a good friend. The memories I have will be with me forever. The stories we could tell on each other.

Life isn't fair - not when the good ones are taken from us.

Love You Bud

Doug Murphy
Quad County DTF
2007-07-13

Ken was a lot of fun he had a great since of humor and loved his job. He liked to tease and play jokes which is helpful when you do the kind of work they do. I will never forget his oneryness and will be forever greatful for the time he served.
God bless you Ken I miss you. I pray his family is doing well.
Hugszzzzzzzz to Heaven

Linda
EMS Friend
2007-05-16

A man remembered with love and respect never dies but continues on in the hearts and minds of others.

2007-04-18

10 years ago today was your EOW. Sounds like you
were one of a kind. Thanks for your 20 years of
service. Sounds like you made it so much fun!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

2007-04-18

Kenny,
I will always remember the Tornado of '92. They made me dispatch because you can't direct traffic in a Harley T-shirt. When we were done, you looked me in the eye and told me "You did an excellent job." It was the best compliment I ever got in 15 years.

2006-10-12

While serving as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Wichita/Sedgwick
County Department of Emergency Communications, Wichita,KS,
it was my pleasure to be acquainted with then Patrolman
Snider (1979-1990).

Ken was a very positive upbeat kind of officer with always
a good word for everyone. He was very intelligent and I
recall had an extremely good sense of humor.

There are those that knew him better but I can say he was
indeed a treasure to those who knew him well.

Communications Dispatcher Carl Wilmoth
Currently Tennessee Highway Patrol,Memphis,TN
2006-05-24

It will be 9 years since your were called away. I know you are still in the hearts of your family and close friends and you protect them every day. Keep watch over them and protect them. You will never be forgotten and are a true hero. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement.

Bob Gordon, Father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

2006-04-15

you my dad's best friend. i've heard so many stories. he would alwayz talk of your sense of humor and jokes and how you were such a great person. i know he misses you greatly. i can't remember you hardly. i was 6 or 7 when you died. i can remember my dad sitting us down and telling my brother and i. now that i think about it i have a vauge recollection of you. i know you will be remmbered in many hearts for ever..much love and condolences to the family.

Ash McNutt

2006-04-02

Dear Commandant,
It is with great displeasure that I write this.. Kenny, wow, the things you did.. silver bullets, all the future wives... smiles and laughs.. crazy man. It's not my fault, it wasn't me, the wringing of the hands, and when a bad guy got stupid... you would yell, your mine and the fight was on. Who could forget the famous SNAZZ neck restraint hold... You could find trouble in a church....
What a waste... I was angry at God when you died. I could find no reason for your death. I still vist you but I figure he had a better idea, and you were needed elsewhere. Rest easy my brother, I miss you terribly... You're remembered a lot up here still.

Detective Brad McCaffree
Sedgwick County Sheriff Office
2006-03-22

Sarge, you left us too soon. You were the funniest guy I ever made calls with. I also remember you could be the scariest thing a criminal ever saw just before he got taken to jail. If things were tense, you were there and took care of business, we all miss you.

MPO T.J. Ohlemeier
Derby PD
2005-10-17

I still remember the term, "Sniderized" a term for the tricks you pulled. More then once I saw you heading in for more ticket books. "Legend" is the term best use to discribe your place in the department. On occation I still tell some snider stories, leaving your name out of course on some of them!

We are the lucky ones, to have known more then a uniform and badge.

Rick D. Liebst
Sedgwick Co. S.O.
2005-06-11

SGT,
Thank you for your service. It has been 8 years, but we will never forget our HEROs. Your service and dedication will live on forever.

God Speed Sir....

SGT Phil Abdoo
Macomb County Sheriff's Office
2005-04-18