Cycling legend Richie Porte’s touching tribute to Keith Smith at police funeral
One of Tasmania’s most successful cyclists has paid tribute to his friend, the late Constable Keith Smith, saying he “would literally give you the shirt off his own back”. TOUCHING WORDS >>>
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UPDATE, 10AM, SATURDAY:Outside of his work serving the Tasmanian community, Constable Keith Smith was also a dedicated cyclist.
He often rode his bike with his friend Richie Porte, the once professional cyclist and Olympian from Launceston.
Celebrant Denise Wotherspoon read a touching tribute from Mr Porte in Europe who said he met Constable Keith Smith in the early 2000s at a local cycling group.
“There are so many times during our friendship where Keith, in his typical understated fashion, went above and beyond to help a mate,” Mr Porte’s tribute read.
He recalled one of these times when he first got a professional contract to cycle while living in Europe and he visited Tasmania over Christmas without a bike.
Constable Smith “gladly” lent his friend his brand new bike, which was his “pride and joy”.
“I got to roll around on Keith’s pride and joy for the summer and it was only when we caught up for a ride when I realised he was back on a bike that can only be described as a clunker,” Mr Porte said.
“This was Keith- he would literally give you the shirt off his own back and help anyone out in a time of need.
“I’ll remember Keith for his generosity and being there as a friend during my cycling career.
“Always with a WhatsApp message when things were good or if I was laid up in a French hospital after crashing out of the Tour de France,” Mr Porte said.
“One thing is for sure, when Keith came for a coffee it was impossible to pay.
“Rest easy Keith, you certainly made your mark mate.
Constable Smith was a keen bike rider and cycled competitively and for charity.
Commissioner Adams said he competed in several Tasmanian Police Charity Trust bike rides, raising more than $100,000 for Tasmanians charities.
UPDATE, 10AM, SATURDAY: An army of blue descended on Devonport as Tasmania Police Constable Keith Smith was recognised for his dedication to the community both in and out of uniform at an emotional and powerful police funeral on Friday.
“Keith always had a smile on his face,” Tasmania Police Inspector Andrew Hayes said while delivering an emotional eulogy to the packed out room.
“In fact he managed to bring us up in times when we were feeling a bit down,” he said.
Inspector Hanson said Constable Smith was “a living definition of what it means to be kind, what it means to be caring and what it means to be gentle”.
Inspector Hanson read a message of support from Constable Smith’s colleagues at the Ulverstone Police Station to his family who said “Keith’s legacy will continue in us”.
“His kindness, compassion and wonderful nature has rubbed off on us all.
“There will be a bit of Keith with us as we continue to serve the community.”
Close friend and colleague Sergeant Joshua Hayes said “he always had my back”.
He said Constable Smith was well known and well respected in the community.
“Keith never played the bad cop. He couldn’t. He was always the good cop,” Sergeant Hayes said.
Celebrant Denise Wotherspoon said Constable Smith’s death had rocked not just the Ulverstone community where he served but the entire nation.
Constable Smith was shot and killed while undertaking routine duties earlier this month, serving a repossession warrant in a rural town in the state’s North-West.
Ms Wotherspoon read emotional tributes from Constable Smith’s wife Janaha and daughter Ava.
“My gentle, loving husband- my soulmate. I have no words,” Janaha’s tribute read.
“I am numb, I am lost.
“You are our protector, our safe place. You always put us first. Thank you for the best days of our lives together.
“This is not goodbye, it is I’ll see you in a minute. Love you forever, my special blue boy, from your babe.”
Teenage daughter Ava said she missed her Dad’s “big smile and big warm hugs”.
“I am so proud of you and your job. I would always tell my school friends, my dad is a policeman.
“I love you forever.”
Tasmania Police commissioner Donna Adams said it was with “profound sadness and yet great honour” to be addressing the congregation to celebrate Constable Smith’s “career and legacy”.
Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith joined the Tasmania Police in cadet course 3 of 2000.
Constable Smith had wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Uncle who served as a police officer.
“From the very beginning he was driven by a deep desire to serve the Tasmanian community,” Commissioner Adams said.
She read part of his application to join the Tasmanian Police, where he wrote he “hoped to provide meaningful support to individuals while building lasting relationships founded on trust and service”.
“These values- service and support, would go on to define his 25-year career,” she said.
Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith was a “true embodiment of what it means to be a police officer”.
Constable Smith graduated to Launceston and received a certificate of commendation the same year he graduated.
Commissioner Adams said his courage and commitment to the community was beyond expectations so soon after graduating.
Constable Smith then transferred to Newnham uniform in 2003 and back again in 2006 after some years with the Northern Crime Management Unit.
In 2017 he transferred to Launceston before his ultimate posting at Ulverstone in 2020.
He received the Commissioner’s Medal in 2011 and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal for 15 years in 2016.
Commissioner Adams read a tribute from a community member who said Constable Smith was not “just a police officer”.
“He was a guardian, a mentor and a true friend to many in the community.”
Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith’s time with Tasmania Police was not only measured in time served but in “lives touched, communities protected and the countless moments where his presence made a difference.”
“His loss has been felt across the policing family in our state, across Australia, in New Zealand and also across the Tasmanian community who knew him, trusted him, and were better off for having been in his presence,” Commissioner Adams said.
UPDATE, 1.20PM: Friends, family and colleagues of fallen Tasmania police officer Keith Smith have gathered in Devonport to say their final farewells to the 57-year-old officer who was killed in the line of duty.
Constable Smith was shot and killed on June 16 while undertaking routine duties serving a repossession warrant in a rural town in the state’s North-West.
At his police funeral Tasmania Police commissioner Donna Adams said it was with “profound sadness and yet great honour” to be addressing the congregation to celebrate Constable Smith’s “career and legacy”.
She said Constable Smith joined the Tasmania Police in cadet course 3 of 2000.
“From the very beginning he was driven by a deep desire to serve the Tasmanian community,” Commissioner Adams said.
She said his values of “service and support” defined his 25-year career with the police.
“His loss has been felt across the policing family,”
At the request of Constable Smith’s family, the funeral service at the paranaple centre is closed to family and friends only, with a livestream available online.
Following the service Constable Smith will be given a guard of honour and the community is invited to line the streets in Devonport and Ulverstone to witness the procession.
EARLIER: The late Constable Keith Smith, who was shot and killed in the line of duty last week, is today being farewelled at a police funeral, where he will receive full ceremonial honours.
Constable Smith, a 25-year veteran of the force, died when he and a colleague were attempting to serve a court-ordered repossession warrant on a property near the town of North Motton in the state’s North-West.
A 46-year-old man has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault and recently appeared in a bedside court sitting.
The funeral of Constable Smith, which is being held in Devonport and will be live-streamed on YouTube, will recognise the late officer’s dedicated service and the lasting impact he made on the community both on and off duty.
Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson said members of the public were welcome to pay their respects after the funeral service and were invited to “line the streets and join [police] in paying tribute to Keith as he makes his final journey”.
“The outpouring of kindness and support from across Tasmania and beyond over recent days has been deeply moving,” Commander Wilkinson said.
“Keith was a proud member of Tasmania Police who was deeply respected by his colleagues and his community. His service and spirit will not be forgotten.”
The funeral procession will travel along Bluff Rd and up to William St from 2.30pm.
It will then make its way to Ulverstone, where it will travel past the Ulverstone Police Station along Victoria St, turn into Reibey St, and continue to Kings Parade.
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Originally published as Cycling legend Richie Porte’s touching tribute to Keith Smith at police funeral
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