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William Stephen Snead
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Stephen Snead

Richmond Police Department — Richmond, VA
Felonious
United States flag Virginia flag
End of Watch February 5, 1937
Age 45
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
The Vigil Panel 72 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 39

Incident

Patrolman William Snead was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was breaking into a jewelry store at 120 East Broad Street. He had just completed his shift and was walking along the street when he encountered a man who had just broken the front window of the store with a hammer. As Patrolman Snead attempted to arrest him, the man fatally struck him on the head with the hammer, fracturing his skull. The subject then took Patrolman Snead's service weapon and shot him in the jaw before fleeing. A citizen who witnessed the incident followed the man and alerted other officers. The man was shot and killed while resisting arrest. Patrolman Snead had served with the Richmond Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Snead gave the Richmond Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Snead.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Richmond Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Richmond, VA
Platform Identity rpd.richmond.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 5, 1937
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Age 45
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Blunt object

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Richmond Police Department has 40 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Stephen Snead

Richmond Police Department · End of Watch February 5, 1937

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W

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