Many of Snyder’s posts include pictures of his son. Among them is a photo of the boy as a newborn surrounded by his father’s duty belt, handcuffs, badge and police hat. In another, the baby is wearing a police uniform onesie.

According to his LinkedIn page, Snyder joined the St. Louis County Police Department in July 2012. Before that, he worked as a freelance graphic designer. He also previously served as the creative director and graphic designer at Destiny Church and on the board of directors at Riverbend Family Ministries. In the early 2000s, he worked in the parks and recreation department in Godfrey.

Snyder grew up on a quiet, tree-lined street of 1960s ranch homes in Godfrey. His parents still live there, a neighbor said Thursday afternoon.

She described the Snyder family as “just really nice people, and he was a nice kid.”

A visibly shaken woman who said she was Snyder’s aunt was in the driveway of the Snyder home. “We don’t know much of anything at all right now,” said the woman, who choked back tears to say, “I know he was such a wonderful boy.”