From a young age, Criminal Investigator Ben Sneed had a clear picture of what he wanted out of life. He was ambitious yet disciplined, hopeful yet focused on serving his community. He dreamed of playing college basketball, serving in the Marine Corps, and using the skills he gained in the military to build a career in public service.
All of those dreams became reality.
Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, Sneed played basketball at Roane State Community College. The lessons he picked up on the court — discipline, teamwork, and a drive to compete — followed him into the Marines and later into his work as an investigator.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Sneed pursued a career in law enforcement, which would ultimately influence both his career and his family’s life here in Manchester.
“I always wanted to serve in a way that mattered,” Sneed reflected. “Law enforcement gave me that opportunity.”
It was love, however, that changed Sneed’s trajectory once more. After meeting his wife, Amber Vazquez Sneed, he put down roots in Manchester, believing it would be the perfect place to raise their family. Together, they’re raising daughters Paydenn (14) and Aeriona (11), along with Sneed’s bonus kids, Jaiden and Jaida Foster.
Sneed began his law enforcement career in 2015 as a corrections officer with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. Working in the jail taught him a lot about human behavior and communication.
“Working in the jail taught me a lot — from dealing with individuals I might later encounter on the street to what I like to call ‘verbal judo,’ the ability to talk to people and de-escalate situations without resorting to force,” Sneed recalled.
Later that same year, he transitioned to the patrol division, where he served until 2018.
In 2018, Sneed joined the Manchester Police Department (MPD). Sneed joined the department, determined to work hard and keep his “little piece of America” safe. His long-term goal was to move into investigations, but it didn’t take long for his hard work to gain recognition.
By the end of his first year, Sneed was named Officer of the Year.
“I was honored and shocked to receive the award,” he said. “That award wasn’t just about me. It represented all of us working together to keep our community safe.”
In 2019, Sneed was promoted to the Criminal Investigation Division, achieving his goal much earlier than expected. His start in investigations was far from easy.
“Within a few weeks, I was assisting in an infant death case. Seeing that investigation through from start to finish and achieving a successful prosecution confirmed that I was exactly where I needed to be.”
Though investigations often bring emotional highs and lows, Sneed said the work continues to motivate him.
“The work can be a roller coaster, but being able to hold people accountable and seek justice keeps me motivated.”
Sneed quickly credits his current and former colleagues for impacting his experience as an investigator. He names former Chief Investigator Brandon Tomberlin, Capt. Trey Adcock, current Chief Bryan Eldridge, and Investigators Jamie Norris, Chase Alford, and Cody Lendley as men he deeply admires.
“These men would give the shirt off their backs to help someone,” he said. “What I admire most is that none of them care about the spotlight — it’s all about accomplishing the mission and making sure justice is served. These guys are true rock stars, and it’s an honor to stand beside them every day.”
Outside of work hours, the investigators share a bond that feels more like family than colleagues. That connection becomes vital since investigators are on call one week each month.
“Life doesn’t stop for kids’ sports or school events, but I know these guys have my back. That makes all the difference.”
For Sneed, a “typical” day is anything but predictable.
“Controlled chaos,” he joked.
With Manchester’s population growing, but the division still staffed at just five investigators — the same number as a decade ago — every day requires juggling more with less. Investigators stay busy, between prioritizing cases and conducting interviews, reviewing surveillance footage, writing subpoenas, and drafting search warrants. But at any moment, a new high-priority case could send the day spiraling in a different direction.
The hardest days are the ones that hit close to home. Child cases weigh on him as a father, and cases that don’t have enough evidence can leave him restless. But his calling to serve keeps him moving forward.
“No matter what people see on TV, I’m out here every day in my own community, trying to make it safer.”
For Sneed, law enforcement helps keep the community feeling safe and connected.
“Growing up, you could leave your front door or car unlocked without worry. Society has changed, but law enforcement continues to provide that sense of safety — the assurance that there are people out there working through the night to protect the community,” he explained.
He has also learned lessons that guide him daily: treat people with dignity and remember that investigations are about building step by step until the truth emerges.
“We often meet people on the worst day of their lives,” he said. “I remind myself to treat them how I’d want my own loved ones treated, until their actions prove otherwise.”
The challenges are real, but Sneed finds encouragement in the community around him.
“The support Manchester shows for law enforcement is incredible,” he said. “They know no department is perfect, but they value accountability and integrity.”
At the end of the day, Criminal Investigator Sneed doesn’t allow a badge or a title to define him. He’s a husband, a father, a teammate, and a man devoted to the community he calls home. GN
