Police officer David Masters killed trying to stop suspected stolen car
As the hunt for the driver of the vehicle that killed Senior Constable David Masters continues, words of support have flooded in for his family, including from the wife of slain officer Brett Forte.
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A manhunt is still underway north of Brisbane as police search for the driver of a stolen car responsible for killing Senior Constable David Masters on the Bruce Hwy early Saturday.
Armed cops surrounded a property in Moodlu, outside of Caboolture, this afternoon.
The burnt remains of a white car that was confirmed to be the same car that struck and killed Snr Cnst Masters was found nearby.
According to police, the driver of the vehicle was not located.
The 53-year-old from Deception Bay Police Station was mowed down by the vehicle when trying to deploy stingers or a tyre-deflating device just after 3am at Deception Bay. He died at the scene.
The vehicle involved, a white Hyundai Kona SUV, fled the scene.
Police concentrated on the area after they became aware of the burnt car remains at about 1pm on Saturday.
Forensic crews, detectives and other specialist police attended the scene of the burnt car that was torched on the side of a road in Moodlu.
The burnt car was abandoned about 25km from the Bruce Hwy, where Snr Cnst Masters died on the side of the road.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who was travelling in the area who saw or has dashcam vision of the Hyundai Kona to contact police.
The tragic police death closed the Bruce Hwy for almost eight hours.
The widowed partner of murdered police officer Senior Constable Brett Forte was among many who sent condolences to Snr Cnst Masters’ family with a small but touching message online.
Susie Forte’s police officer husband was shot and killed in the line of duty on May 29, 2017 by known criminal Ricky Maddison following a low-speed pursuit in the Lockyer Valley.
Today, Ms Forte reached out to Sharon and Jack Masters, following the tragic death of their husband and father.
In the kind gesture, Ms Forte said she knew Brett would be a mate to Dave.
“Brett will welcome you and take care of you up there, Dave. RIP,” Ms Forte wrote.
“I’m so, so sorry Sharon and Jack for losing your wonderful husband and dad.
“Here for you both.”
She also wrote how she wished she could “give Brett one last hug.”
Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers described Mr Masters as a well respected, ‘knockabout type of guy’ who cherished his high-school sweetheart Sharon and their son Jack.
Mr Masters worked as a mechanic prior to joining the police force in 2011 and moved to the Deception Bay station in 2019.
Queensland Police Union General Secretary Mick Barnes broke down in tears as he spoke about the feeling of police colleagues realising the victim of the fatal crash was their mate.
“When talking with Sharon and Jack this morning, David lived for the job and he was dedicated. Loved the outdoors, loved his horses, hence why he was in the mounted unit,” Mr Barnes said.
In a statement provided to The Courier-Mail, Mr Barnes said Snr Cnst Masters’ death was ‘tragic, needless and senseless’.
“With great sadness we write to inform you of the death of our friend, colleague, loved one and Queensland Police Union member, Senior Constable Dave Masters this morning while on duty,” police union secretary Mick Barnes said.
“Just after 3am, Dave was struck by a stolen vehicle, travelling at high speed, that he was trying to stop so that he could keep the public safe.
“The best professional assistance is also being provided to all QPU members involved with the QPU’s critical incident team also on the scene.
“Dave’s tragic, needless and senseless passing has already been felt deeply across Queensland.
“Dave, as a parent, husband, and committed officer, leaves behind a station in shock and disbelief.
“This incident once again highlights the inherent danger involved in all police work.”
Mr Barnes said officers put their lives on the line every time they began a shift.
“The death of colleagues is a very emotional and challenging time for the entire police community,” he said.
“The events of last night remind us that our job as police is always dangerous. It never stops, and it comes at a heavy cost to us all.
“It is also a stark reminder of what we risk every day.
“We know that when we leave home to go to work each day, there are never any guarantees we will come home at the end of the day.
“Dave’s life has been cut tragically short for one reason and one reason alone, for simply doing his job, and we Queensland police remember and honour him.
“At this time, we need to remember that we should all continue to look out for our colleagues and all our mates and co-workers.
“Support efforts for Dave’s family and avenues how the public can show their support are in hand and will be circulated shortly.”
The Queensland Police Union posted to its members on Facebook.
“It is with great sadness we confirm the tragic death this morning of Senior Constable David Masters of Deception Bay,” they said.
“QPUE General President Ian Leavers and General Secretary Mick Barnes have been on scene since just after 4:00 AM assisting Members.
“Please keep our Police Family in your thoughts.”
A teary Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has this morning fronted media with “a heavy heart,” as she revealed the death of Snr Cnst Masters, a father of one, is being treated as a homicide.
Commissioner Carroll said she had met with Snr Cnst Masters’ colleagues at Deception Bay, who described him as “hard working, capable, and a beacon at the station.”
“He was much loved by everyone at the station and the wider community,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“Our thoughts are with his wife and his son, his extended family and friends.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Police Minister Mark Ryan have issued a statement offering their condolences to the family of Senior Constable Masters.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to family, friends and colleagues of Senior Constable David Masters on their sad loss,” it said.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
“Senior Constable Masters lost his life while protecting the lives of others.
“Police put themselves in the line of danger every day to protect us and keep us safe, and today, tragically, they lost one of their own.”
Homicide detectives have launched an investigation into Snr Cnst Masters’ death, as multiple specialist crews work together at an investigation centre in Caboolture.
Detective Superintendent Craig Morrow, who is leading the investigation, said the specifics and time frame of what’s occurred remains heavily under investigation.
He confirmed the car was hired from Ipswich on June 22 and was not returned.
It was later reported as stolen.
Police are attempting to track down the person who hired the vehicle, however officers are unsure if that person was driving at the time of this morning’s tragedy.
Police are appealing to the public for help following Snr Cnst Masters death.
According to detectives, a stolen white Hyundai Kona with Queensland registration plate 803ZLA is the car that struck the officer as he made attempts to deploy road spikes.
“Extensive searches have failed to locate the vehicle and detectives are appealing for anyone who has seen the vehicle or anyone with dashcam vision who was travelling in the area to contact police,” a police statement said
“Police are appealing for anyone with information regarding the current whereabouts of the driver or vehicle which is similar to the one pictured below to come forward.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath sent the condolences on behalf of the State Government following the police death.
“It’s a tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers go to this police officer’s family, work colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” she said.
Ms D’Ath said it was too early to determine the cause of the incident.
More than a dozen police officers and plain clothes detectives were earlier assessing the scene of the crash this morning.
Drones are closely examining a patch of grass off the side of the highway where a marked police car is parked.
A police cap is on the ground behind the marked police car.
Heavy traffic building on those alternative routes around the closed section of the Bruce Highway at Burpengary. Please be patient, or avoid the area if you can. The Highway will be closed for some time as police investigations are carried out. #qldtrafficpic.twitter.com/8t9ziLEjdx
— RACQ (@RACQOfficial) June 25, 2021
Officers have also closely examined a black boot on the ground about 20 metres from the police car, off the side of Old Gympie Rd.
Commissioner Katarina Carroll, who attended the scene early Saturday morning, said the officer’s death was an absolute tragedy for the Queensland Police Service and the entire Queensland community.
“It is with a very heavy heart we confirm the loss of one of our own, a senior constable who was working hard to protect his community,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“My sincerest condolences go out to the officer’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.
“This is devastating news for our police family and we are offering support to all officers and staff.
“Sadly, this incident demonstrates the dangers our officers face when working to keep our community safe each and every day.”
Police Union president Ian Leavers and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland are also at the scene.
Mr Leavers would not be pressed if the use of road spikes should be suspended or stopped in Queensland and urged for focus to remain on the homicide investigation today.
“We need to look and review everything on a regular basis but at the moment I really don’t want to get onto a debate on things,” he said
“We’ve lost Dave and nothing is going to bring him back and our focus is on supporting Dave’s family, his colleagues and ensuring that the police who are conducting the homicide investigation do everything they can to apprehend the people involved.”
The death of the policeman has already sent shockwaves through the Sunshine Coast community.
Only last year, a Coast constable who fell in the line of duty was honoured in the naming of a new water police vessel.
Patrol vessel QPV Shayne Gill is named after Constable Shayne Gill who died instantly when he was struck by a passing truck while writing a traffic ticket on the Bruce Highway near the Glass House Mountains on May 21, 1996.
A second vessel was named after Constable Norm Watt who died by gunfire while responding to an incident near Rockhampton in 2000.
The new vessels were deployed to the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
The police union has set up a remembrance fund for the officer’s family.
“Dave leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and son Jack aged 21,” the union posted on Facebook.
“Dave loved his family, the outdoors and camping with friends & family.
“Dave was passionate about horses and cherished his time in the QPS Mounted Police Unit.
“‘Dave lived for policing’ said wife Sharon, and went on to describe Dave as being, ‘ … dedicated to his role within the community to keep the public safe’.”
“Our thoughts are with Sharon, Jack, and all of Dave’s friends and family at this time.
“All donations will go directly to Senior Constable Masters’ family.”
Donations can be made at a QBANK branch.
QBANK:
David Masters Remembrance Fund
BSB: 704 052
Account Number: 100204707
Message to appear in account: (person’s name who is donating).
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