St. Louis County Officer Killed In Line Of Duty Today

by Kelleigh Lamb October 06, 2016

We are saddened to hear about the loss of Police Officer Blake Snyder. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family, friends, & colleagues of the St. Louis County Police Department.

A St. Louis County officer died after being shot while responding to a call Thursday morning.

The officer, later identified as 33-year-old Blake Snyder, was called to the 10700 block of Arno in Green Park, which is located south of Affton, around 5:05 a.m. for a disturbance.

According to Officer Benjamin Granda, a male suspect fired at Ofc. Snyder, striking him, almost immediately after he arrived at the scene.

“From the time the suspect made it from the house to car, that’s where Ofc. Snyder encountered him,” St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said. “Ofc. Snyder, we believe at this point in the investigation, gave the suspect some commands because he couldn’t see his hands. The suspect produced a pistol and he shot Ofc. Snyder point-blank. It was an immediately fatal wound.”

Another officer arrived to the scene and, after seeing the suspect shoot Ofc. Snyder, engaged the suspect, who was alone in a vehicle, and fired several shots. Snyder was outside his vehicle when he was shot.

The suspect was reportedly shot multiple times and is in critical condition at a St. Louis hospital.

Around 9:20 a.m., the department confirmed the officer had died of his injuries.

“I would like to commend the Mehlville Firefighters who transported Ofc. Snyder, they did a great job of trying to resuscitate him,” Chief Belmar said. “I would like to commend the staff of St. Anthony’s Hospital who worked diligently on Ofc. Snyder for more than an hour.”

Police said they are not looking for any other suspects. They also said they are currently speaking to a person who witnessed the shooting.

According to officials, a weapon was recovered at the scene.

According to Sgt. Shawn McGuire, Ofc. Snyder was a four-year veteran of the department.

“I’m tremendously proud of these police officers, you know that, I’m proud of what they do,” said Chief Belmar. “They work in an incredibly difficult environment on an ideal day, and at times, as we have seen, it is an environment that can be incredibly dangerous.”

Ofc. Snyder had a wife and 2-year-old son, according to Chief Belmar. He was 33-years-old.

“Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out, first and foremost to Blake Snyder’s family, but certainly the police officers that he worked with.”

This is the first line-of-duty death in the St. Louis County Police Department since October 31, 2000, when Sergeant Richard Weinhold was killed.

The suspect’s identity has not been released. Chief Belmar said the suspect has a felony narcotics case, which Ofc. Snyder was involved in.

No other details have been released.

There is no body and dashboard camera video of the shooting, police said.

Chief Belmar said they expect warrants to be issued against the suspect.

Chief Belmar said Ofc. Snyder was a “great guy” who he just saw last week at the Affton Days Parade.

“[He was] dedicated, very good police officer, 33 years old, which meant he came into this field at 28 years old,” said Chief Belmar. “I wouldn’t have to know Ofc. Snyder to tell you that he is tremendously dedicated, that he’s an outstanding police officer, and if you ask him why he’s a police officer he would tell you without hesitation ‘because I want to help people.'”