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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of those dreams became reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, Sneed played basketball at Roane State Community College. The lessons he picked up on the court \u2014 discipline, teamwork, and a drive to compete \u2014 followed him into the Marines and later into his work as an investigator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After serving in the Marine Corps, Sneed pursued a career in law enforcement, which would ultimately influence both his career and his family\u2019s life here in Manchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always wanted to serve in a way that mattered,\u201d Sneed reflected. \u201cLaw enforcement gave me that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was love, however, that changed Sneed\u2019s 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\u2019re raising daughters Paydenn (14) and Aeriona (11), along with Sneed\u2019s bonus kids, Jaiden and Jaida Foster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sneed began his law enforcement career in 2015 as a corrections officer with the Coffee County Sheriff\u2019s Department. Working in the jail taught him a lot about human behavior and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWorking in the jail taught me a lot \u2014 from dealing with individuals I might later encounter on the street to what I like to call \u2018verbal judo,\u2019 the ability to talk to people and de-escalate situations without resorting to force,\u201d Sneed recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later that same year, he transitioned to the patrol division, where he served until 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2018, Sneed joined the Manchester Police Department (MPD). Sneed joined the department, determined to work hard and keep his \u201clittle piece of America\u201d safe. His long-term goal was to move into investigations, but it didn\u2019t take long for his hard work to gain recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the end of his first year, Sneed was named Officer of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was honored and shocked to receive the award,\u201d he said. \u201cThat award wasn\u2019t just about me. It represented all of us working together to keep our community safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWithin 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though investigations often bring emotional highs and lows, Sneed said the work continues to motivate him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe work can be a roller coaster, but being able to hold people accountable and seek justice keeps me motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese men would give the shirt off their backs to help someone,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat I admire most is that none of them care about the spotlight \u2014 it\u2019s all about accomplishing the mission and making sure justice is served. These guys are true rock stars, and it\u2019s an honor to stand beside them every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLife doesn\u2019t stop for kids\u2019 sports or school events, but I know these guys have my back. That makes all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Sneed, a \u201ctypical\u201d day is anything but predictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cControlled chaos,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Manchester\u2019s population growing, but the division still staffed at just five investigators \u2014 the same number as a decade ago \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hardest days are the ones that hit close to home. Child cases weigh on him as a father, and cases that don\u2019t have enough evidence can leave him restless. But his calling to serve keeps him moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo matter what people see on TV, I\u2019m out here every day in my own community, trying to make it safer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Sneed, law enforcement helps keep the community feeling safe and connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrowing 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 \u2014 the assurance that there are people out there working through the night to protect the community,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe often meet people on the worst day of their lives,\u201d he said. \u201cI remind myself to treat them how I\u2019d want my own loved ones treated, until their actions prove otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The challenges are real, but Sneed finds encouragement in the community around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe support Manchester shows for law enforcement is incredible,\u201d he said. \u201cThey know no department is perfect, but they value accountability and integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the day, Criminal Investigator Sneed doesn\u2019t allow a badge or a title to define him. He\u2019s a husband, a father, a teammate, and a man devoted to the community he calls home. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":24208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n