EDINBURG, Texas – Since 1994, Emma Joe and Herbert Snyder have been traveling the state of Texas to juvenile and adult corrections facilities to tell their story. Their story is not one easily shared by others, but for them it has become a life journey. It’s a story of joy, sorrow, court battles, parole hearings, and their willingness to see justice and prevent such tragedies from happening to others. Throughout the years they have touched thousands of lives and made an impact on many juveniles, adult inmates, and staff alike. As part of National Crime Victims Week, they traveled a 572 mile round trip to the Evins Regional Juvenile Center (ERJC) to speak to the youth. Their true story recounts how February 7, 1992, was not a typical day for the Snyders. In their hearts they felt something was terribly wrong and how a phone call would in an instant forever change their lives. They recounted how their 30-year-old son Atch (Pronounced “H”) was last seen alive and how he was trying t...
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department: Transforming Young Lives and Creating Safer Communities