Patrolman William Stephen Snead

William Stephen Snead

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. He was survived by his wife and two children.