Officer William J. Snyder, Sr.

I was a young rookie at GCPD in 1982. It was a small department with a densely concentrated industrial zone along the Thames River, where it finally meets the Atlantic between Groton City and New London. Besides the twenty thousand commuters that surged in and out of our little city, we had residents that worked in our factories, Navy dependents from the nearby sub base, along with marinas, restaurants, waterfront hotels, a small public beach, and even an oceanfront branch campus of UCONN . As such, it was crucial to have senior officers that set the standard of professionalism necessary to function in such a densely concentrated environment of weary commuters, local businesses, military manufacturers, daily residents and even a few summer tourists. Despite a deep, powerful voice and powerful physical presence, Bill set the standard, in my young mind, of the thoughtful, intelligent, logical, fearless, and empathetic police officer. He always handled the public and fellow police officers with firm, yet respectful patience and, even at times when he seemed to be holding back a hint of anger, always found the most intelligent resolution. I was not yet a military veteran at the time, but his bearing, attention to detail, and clear sense of duty, like that of some other department members I admired, bespoke of a strong military background that, later, contributed to my decision to embark on my own twenty-year military journey, albeit in the Army Airborne. Now, after forty years of marriage to a girl I met there in Groton City, and multiple deployments among other fine American men and women, I still remember fondly the shining example, the brotherhood, and the bravery of fellow police officers, leaders, mentors, like Sergeant Bill Snyder, and I know the horror and sadness associated with such tragic, random loss of a precious person. My heart and prayers go out to Bill’s beloved family and all his friends and fellow officers. RIP, Sergeant.

Patrolman Tim Rogers, Badge 73.
Groton City Police Department

January 26, 2025