Officer James Robert Snedigar

James Robert Snedigar

Officer James Snedigar was shot and killed while performing a SWAT raid on armed robbery suspects at 1100 N. Priest Drive.

The suspects had been chased to an apartment complex after robbing a jewelry store in Tempe, Arizona. They then forced their way into an apartment and holed up. The SWAT team tossed stun grenades into the apartment but were met by gunfire as they entered. Officer Snedigar, who was the point man and was wearing body armor, was shot in the face just inside the doorway.

Other officers returned fire, killing one of the suspects, who was also wearing a bulletproof vest.

Officer Snedigar had served with the Chandler Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and grandson.