Latest news with #DonnaAdams
ABC News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Tasmanian Constable Keith Anthony Smith is being farewelled with a police funeral in Devonport
Tasmanian Constable Keith Anthony Smith is being farewelled by family, friends and colleagues with a police funeral today in Devonport. The 57-year-old officer was shot dead on June 16 during a "routine" job to serve a warrant to the owner of a rural property in North Motton, in the state's north-west. At the request of Contable Smith's family, the funeral is open only to friends, family and invited guests and police. A live stream of the service is available. Constable Smith, who served for 25 years with Tasmania Police, will be given a guard of honour and procession through the streets of Devonport after the service. Tasmanian Police Commissioner Donna Adams will deliver an address at the funeral and a eulogy will be given by Inspector Andrew Hanson and Sergeant Joshua Hayes. Commissioner Adams has described Constable Smith's death as a "traumatic and tragic event" that has left the community shocked. "Keith served with unwavering dedication and integrity, and his legacy will not be forgotten," Commissioner Adams said last week. Despite being in the midst of a state election campaign, Tasmanian politicians have paused all campaigning for the day out of respect for Constable Smith. Constable Smith was shot and killed on Monday 16 June, while attending a North Motton property with another police officer and two civilians. They were there to deliver a court-ordered repossession notice of the property. Constable Smith was allegedly shot with a rifle, "sometime between" leaving his car and making his way to the front of a house, according to Commissioner Adams. Police have charged 46-year-old Leigh Geoffrey Sushames with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault after the fatal shooting of Constable Smith. Mr Sushames will next appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on July 7.
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- News.com.au
Tributes flow for Tasmanian cop shot dead while on duty
A Tasmania Police officer who was killed in the line of duty on Monday will be honoured with a police funeral for his service to both the force and the community. Constable Keith Smith has been remembered as a dedicated officer who loved his job and cherished the community he was privileged to serve. Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams has announced a police funeral would be held next Friday, June 27. 'This week has been an incredibly difficult time for our Tasmania Police family,' she said on Friday. 'For many Tasmania Police officers, Keith was more than a colleague – he was a friend, a mentor and a true embodiment of what it means to serve.' A memorial website created by Tasmania Police has received dozens of messages of support from emergency service officials, politicians, community figures, colleagues, locals, and even members of the international policing community. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff posted on X that 'the love of an entire state' was with Constable Smith's loved ones. 'You will have every possible support made available as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy,' he said. South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the death was a reminder that 'policing is an inherently dangerous profession'. 'Our officers accept the risks of performing their duty to protect the community. Despite this understanding, the impact is always significant and wide reaching when a police officer is tragically killed,' the Commissioner said. 'Please know that our thoughts are with all members of the Tasmania Police, and of course, in particular, Constable Smith's family.' Tongan Police Commissioner Geoff Turner expressed his sympathies to Constable Smith's family, saying he hoped they would 'draw comfort' from the knowledge that the international police community was standing by them. 'Support for Keith's family extends beyond the borders of Australia to the wider blue Pacific policing family. Faka'apa'apa atu'. Jyron Flannery, a 19-year old aspiring chef who was raised in the area, said that words could not express 'the deep sorrow felt by all of us who knew Keith'. 'He wasn't just a police officer, he was a guardian, a mentor and a true friend to many in the community,' Mr Flannery said. 'Whenever I'd come across him around town, especially when I was younger and in trouble … he had a way of calming me down and looking out for me … making sure I stayed on the right path.' Tasmania Police said the funeral would only be open to family, friends, invited guests and police. Constable Smith was killed earlier this week while serving a repossession warrant to a home on a rural property near North Motton in Queensland's northwest. Tasmania Police allege Constable Smith and a colleague were approaching the property when he was 'shot and killed' by 'a member of the public'. A man has been charged with murder and a slew of other charges related to the incident, and is due to appear in Launceston Magistrates court in early July.
West Australian
19-06-2025
- West Australian
Man charged after shooting leaves Tasmanian Police officer dead
A man has been charged with murder after a police officer was shot and killed in rural Tasmania on Monday. Constable Keith Smith was killed as he and a colleague attempted to serve a court-ordered repossession warrant on a property near the small town of North Motton in Tasmania's northwest. The alleged gunman was shot by another police officer before being arrested. Tasmanian Police on Thursday charged a 46-year-old man with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. The North Motton man appeared in a bedside court sitting at Launceston Hospital. He will reappear in court at a later date. He remains under guard in hospital where he is receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries. Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams thanked those involved in the ongoing investigation for their dedication and professionalism. Commissioner Adams earlier said the two uniformed officers were accompanied by three members of Tasmania Police Special Operations Group (SOG) for a 'frontline assist deployment' before the incident. 'On arrival at the property, the two police officers exited their police vehicle and shortly thereafter constable Keith Smith was tragically shot and killed,' the Commissioner alleged. 'Having heard the gunshots, the three members of SOG transitioned to their tactical kit, placed on their body armour, changed their weaponry and made their way up the driveway where they heard the shots had been fired.' 'An SOG operative was able to swiftly apprehend the offender after shooting him in the hand.' A memoriam page for Constable Smith has been uploaded to the Tasmania Police website, where members of the public can offer condolences to his family and colleagues. 'Keith was an experienced and well-respected officer with 25 years' experience working in northern and western Tasmania,' the page said. 'He received the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal in 2016.'
ABC News
19-06-2025
- ABC News
Man charged with murder after death of Tasmania Police Constable Keith Smith
Police have charged a 46-year-old man with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault after a police officer was fatally shot in Tasmania's north-west on Monday. The North Motton man recently appeared in a bedside court sitting, police said in a statement. The man remains under guard in Launceston hospital where he is receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries. Constable Smith attended the North Motton property on Monday morning with another officer and two civilians, in order to deliver a court-ordered repossession notice. Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams earlier this week said the officer was allegedly shot with a rifle, 'sometime between' leaving his car and making his way to the front of the house.
ABC News
18-06-2025
- ABC News
More details revealed about shooting of Tasmania Police officer Keith Smith
Tasmania Police plan to lay charges tomorrow against the man they allege fatally shot a veteran police officer at a rural property in Tasmania's north-west. On Monday, Constable Kevin Smith was killed at Allison Road in North Motton, as he and another officer attempted to serve a court-issued repossession warrant. Three members of the Special Operations Group (SOG) were stationed at the bottom of the long driveway, acting as backup, Police Commissioner Donna Adams said. "SOG operative was able to swiftly apprehend the offender after shooting him in the hand." The 46-year-old, whose name has not been released, surrendered to police and was taken to the Launceston General Hospital under police guard, where he received surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Commissioner Adams told reporters police were in the early stages of a criminal investigation. "We hope with the advice from the medical practitioners at the Launceston General Hospital to be in a position to speak to the offender tomorrow, with a view of hopefully laying charges towards the end of the day," she said. The tragedy has prompted questions about the role of the SOG, including why it was called in, and why two uniformed officers approached the property while the highly-trained tactical team remained at a distance. Commissioner Adams said the SOG's deployment model had changed since the 20-member squad became a permanent fixture in December 2023. Its work now included not only high-risk jobs, but also frontline assistance at routine jobs at the request of an officer, she said. "And that's what occurred on Monday when the Special Operations Group attended North Morton," Commissioner Adams said. "Every job that a police officer goes to has the potential to escalate. "Their decision-making and the planning of our police officers will be part of the investigation. Commissioner Adams said while the alleged offender was the only person present when police arrived at the property, there were also two civilians in the vicinity who were "part of the repossession process". The ABC asked if Tasmania Police was aware of a gun at the property, if the gun was registered, and if the alleged offender had a history of violence. "The profile of the offender will again be an important part of our investigation, and our investigators will work through his history over the coming days," Commissioner Adams said. "It's important that I don't compromise the criminal investigation; we want this individual to be brought before the courts, we want there to be a professional and robust investigation that can withstand any scrutiny." In the wake of the tragedy, there will be a criminal investigation, a coroner's investigation and a police Professional Standards investigation, and a review of work health and safety concerns. "We will always go back and look at our policy and whether there are any things that we can improve," Commissioner Adams said. Constable Smith will receive a police funeral, as his family, the force, and the wider community come to terms with his loss. Commissioner Adams said police will "work with the family over the coming days … to ensure that Keith gets the due recognition for what has been an outstanding 25-year career". She said the funeral, at a date yet to be announced, would also allow "the family, his colleagues and the broader community the opportunity to farewell him and say thank you for his outstanding service". Tasmania Police have set up a webpage for people to share their message of condolence for the family and friends of Constable Smith.
