Fallen Ames Police Officer Snider Remembered as 'Firm and Fair'

Sgt. Howard Snider was a leader who helped keep Ames neighborhoods safe, a city official said following officer.

Mayor Ann Campbell said her and the City Council's thoughts are with Snider's family. 

"Strengthening and protecting neighborhoods has long been a goal of the Ames City Council; however it falls on the shoulders of people like Sgt. Snider to give meaning to those words. Howard took that idea to heart," Campbell said in the city's statement.

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Snider, 51, of the Ames Police Safe Neighborhoods Team, drowned Sunday in Lake Geode in Henry County. He had a wife and two children.

Snider came to Ames Police Department he worked as a correctional officer for the Iowa State Penitentiary and also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

"Howard was a leader in the Ames Police Department and committed to the success of our Safe Neighborhoods Team," Steve Schainker, Ames City Manager, said in a statement prepared by the city.

"He believed in community policing and knew the work he was doing was important. He improved the lives of many people throughout his career," Schainker said.

Snider was a mentor to new officers Ames Police Chief Chuck Cychosz said in the city statement.

"Howard was a very dedicated law enforcement officer and will truly be missed by all members of his law enforcement family," Cychosz said.  

Snider who was known for being "firm and fair" served many assignments as an officer with the Ames Police Department. He was on the Central Iowa Drug Task Force, Ames Police Department Emergency Response Team, and was also a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Disaster Medical Service.