Incident
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.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and grandson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-8887D2D5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Snedigar gave the Chandler Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chandler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Snedigar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer James Robert Snedigar is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chandler Police Dept., 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Robert Snedigar's cause is highlighted.
How James Robert Snedigar Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Robert Snedigar is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chandler Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.





