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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Snyder was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a church in Bushtown.
He was found in a ditch a block away, robbed of his personal belongings, and handcuffed with two gunshot wounds to his body. Although there were a lot of witnesses, no one seemed to know what happened.
On March 13, 1925, a man was arrested and charged with Deputy Snyder's murder. The only witness, the suspect's sister, was found to be unreliable and of bad character. The suspect was tried and acquitted.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Snyder gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Snyder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 3 officers at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 50; the middle age was 39. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
John was 35. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 35. 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. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.3% of these deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office; September holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 33.3%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 16 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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William T. Cate
Sep 14, 1882
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John J. Conway
Sep 14, 1882
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George G. Gibson
Apr 2, 1890
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Hugh Rievley
Jun 10, 1908
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Oscar Leonard Nance
Sep 22, 1912
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John Oliver Bachtel
Jan 18, 1923
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John A. Snyder May 13, 1923
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William B. Gober
Dec 22, 1923
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John A. Griffith Oct 30, 1927
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John Bell Jones Aug 13, 1933
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John Asberry Gillespie
Nov 10, 1942
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Jerry J. Hensley Mar 3, 1955
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Charles E. Garfield
Jun 2, 1961
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Lyle Armon Sneed
Dec 6, 1989
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Donald Kenneth Bond
Sep 6, 2001
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Landon Faulkner
Apr 10, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
