Tributes flow for Tasmanian cop shot dead while on duty

Tributes have been sent in from across the nation as the Tasmania Police community mourns the untimely loss of one of its longest-serving officers

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.

Tasmania Police have confirmed the identity of the police officer killed during a shooting in Tasmania’s north.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff paying respect to Tasmania Police Constable Keith Smith in Ulverstone today. Picture: Jeremy Rockliff Facebook

“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.

Police on the scene near a property in Tasmania’s north west where a police officer was shot dead. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Sturzaker

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.”

The scene of the shooting was an isolated rural property. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Sturzaker

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.”

A police SUV sits idle near the crime scene. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Sturzaker

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.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Tasmanian cop shot dead while on duty