Constable Keith Anthony Smith, 57, is being remembered by his Tasmania Police colleagues as “a respected and committed officer”.
Constable Smith was fatally shot while serving a court-issued warrant for the repossession of a house in the state’s north-west on Monday. His death marks Tasmania’s first active-duty fatal police shooting in more than 100 years.
What’s next?
The 46-year-old alleged offender remains in Launceston General Hospital, under police guard, having undergone surgery for non life-threatening injuries. An investigation into the incident continues.
Tasmania’s police commissioner has named the officer fatally shot on Monday while on duty as Constable Keith Anthony Smith, a 25-year veteran of the police service.
Constable Smith, 57, was shot dead while taking part in “routine duties” at a rural property at North Motton in the state’s north-west.
“Keith was a respected and committed officer, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community,”
Commissioner Donna Adams said.
“My heart goes out to Keith’s wife and family. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.”
Constable Smith was shot as he approached a house on Allison Road with another officer to execute a court-ordered warrant to repossess the home.
Special Operations Group (SOG) police who were in attendance shot the occupant of the residence in the hand, after which he surrendered, police said.
Constable Smith died at the scene.
The 46-year-old alleged offender remains in Launceston General Hospital, under police guard, having undergone surgery for non life-threatening injuries.
No charges have yet been laid.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
Fallen officer ‘admired by colleagues’
Wreaths are being laid outside the Ulverstone Police Station where Constable Smith was stationed.
Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith was “highly regarded and admired by his colleagues”.
She said Constable Smith had a distinguished career and received the Commissioner’s Medal in 2011 and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal for 15 years of service in 2016.
Constable Smith joined the police force in September 2000.
He served in the Northern District in the Northern Crime Management Unit and uniform roles until 2020, when he transferred to Ulverstone and served in uniform until his death on Monday.
Smith ‘told me to keep my head high’
Nineteen-year-old Jyron Flannery was among the many community members who dropped off flowers outside the station on Tuesday morning — with Tuesday also being the inaugural National Police Legacy Day honouring the legacies of police families left behind by tragedy.
Mr Flannery said he had great “respect” for the Constable Smith, who had looked after him over the years.
“When I was growing up, I was a little bit naughty,” Mr Flannery said.
“I got myself into a little bit of trouble and he always kept me out of it. Always told me to steer clear and keep my head high.
“He was always a good officer and looked out for us people in the community and us young people.”
Floral tributes, including one by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, pictured outside the Ulverstone Police Station where Constable Smith was stationed. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)
Constable Smith has also been remembered for his love for cycling, with him participating in charity rides including the 2011 Charity Trust bike ride.
“Today we remember a customer Keith, always with a smile and up for a chat,” bike store Ulverstone Bicycles wrote in a social media post.
“We send condolences to all his family, friends and the whole emergency service family,” the store wrote.
Police Association of Tasmania president Shane Tilley said he had met with Constable Smith’s family, which has asked for privacy.
“His wife is distraught, they’re in a space they never expected to be in,” Mr Tilley said.
Mr Tilley said Constable Smith had also left behind a “young daughter”.
“We’ll wrap our arms around them and support them as much as we can going forward,” he said.
He said the surviving officer who attended the North Motton property with Constable Smith was “devastated”.
“He turned up to that job with his colleague and he didn’t leave the address with him.”
A floral tribute was left outside Devonport Police station after Constable Smith’s death. (ABC News: Meg Fergusson)
‘One of the best of us’, police minister says
Tasmania’s political parties, at the start of a five-week state election campaign, have suspended campaigning for the day in light of the tragedy.
Police Minister Felix Ellis, who lives in the state’s north-west, said he had met Constable Smith “on a couple of occasions” and spoke with his family on Tuesday morning.
“Here in Ulverstone, we’re a close-knit community and this has affected so many people, so deeply,” Mr Ellis said during a press conference at Ulverstone on Tuesday.
“He’s one of the best of us and that’s a reminder of what we’ve lost today.
“An extraordinary Tasmanian who’s serving his community, serving with humility and with distinction. We just grieve for his loved ones and families.”
Questions remain around why SOG officers, who were at the residence to support Constable Smith and the other uniform officer in executing the court-ordered warrant, were waiting at the end of the property’s long driveway.
Mr Ellis was asked why the SOG officers didn’t have the lead on executing the warrant.
“Investigations are underway and I’m not going to pre-empt them,” he said.
“An event like this is incredibly rare.
“Our police do some of the most dangerous and difficult jobs in our community, but for something like this to happen to a serving police officer, is just so out of the blue. That’s partly what makes this tragedy so unimaginable.
“I want to thank all of our police officers who run towards the danger while others are going away.
“I think all of us who have police in our families will be hugging them a little tighter tonight because this is just so incomprehensible.”
Encouraging those impacted to ‘reach out’
Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who also lives in the state’s north-west, reiterated that the Tasmanian government stood ready to provide any support needed.
“Tasmania Police is just not a service,” Mr Rockliff said.
“As the commissioner said last night, it is indeed a family and when one of their own is injured or falls, there is a ripple right throughout the entire Tasmania police service through every rank and every station.
“To every serving police man and woman who knew and served alongside your friend and colleague, the love and the support of our entire state of Tasmania is with you.
“We stand ready to provide any support possible. Any support needed to our Tasmania Police and our entire community at this very sad and tragic time.”
Central Coast Mayor Cheryl Fuller said the council worked regularly with Western District officers and “we thank them for their service”.
“They provide service above and beyond, and we’re thinking of them all today,” she said.
“I encourage those who are impacted or seeing that impact in others to reach out to support services and take care of themselves and each other at this time.”
By chance, Tuesday marks the inaugural National Police Legacy Day.
The day of remembrance will recognise and acknowledge the eight police legacy charities in Australia that provide care to the families of fallen officers.
To mark the first Legacy Day, the sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up on Tuesday night with images of the flower of St Michael, the patron saint of police.
Investigations continue today into the tragic shooting death of a Tasmania Police officer in the state’s North-West on Monday.
With the permission of the officer’s family, Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams has confirmed the officer is Constable Keith Anthony Smith, a 25-year veteran of the police service.
Constable Smith, 57, was shot and killed at a rural property in North Motton on Monday morning as he and a fellow officer attended the premises to serve a court-ordered warrant to repossess the home.
Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith was a dedicated officer over a distinguished career with Tasmania Police, who was highly regarded and admired by his colleagues.
Constable Smith had worked in communities across the North and North-West and, for the past five years, was an officer working at Ulverstone police station.
“Keith was a respected and committed officer, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community,” Commissioner Adams said.
“My heart goes out to Keith’s wife and family. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.
“The Blue Family will come together today, and over the next days and weeks, and will support the family and each other.”
The family of Constable Smith has asked for privacy at this time.
Constable Smith joined Tasmania Police on September 25, 2000, graduating on May 11, 2001, as part of Course 3/2000, and was a passionate cyclist, participating in the 2011 Charity Trust bike ride.
Constable Smith served in Northern District in both the Northern Crime Management Unit and uniform roles until 2020, when he transferred to Ulverstone uniform. He received the Commissioner’s Medal in 2011 and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal (15 years) in 2016.
Commissioner Adams acknowledged emergency services who responded to the incident and assisted at the scene on Monday.
She praised investigators and forensics officers who examined the scene and worked late into the night, through difficult weather conditions, gathering evidence.
“While no other staff have been injured in this terrible incident, all will be impacted by their involvement in such a tragic event,” Commissioner Adams said.
A 46-year-old North Motton man remains in Launceston General Hospital, under police guard, having undergone surgery for non life-threatening injuries.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
