Police officer killed trying to stop suspected stolen car on Qld highway

Police have confirmed the identity of an officer killed trying to stop a suspected stolen car north of Brisbane on Saturday morning.

Police have confirmed the officer killed trying to stop a suspected stolen car on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane on Saturday morning was Senior Constable David Masters.

The 53-year-old was trying to stop the car near Old Gympie Rd, Burpengary, when it struck him just after 3am, police said.

Police are still hunting for the stolen vehicle, a 2020 white Hyundai Kona SUV hire car with licence plates 803ZLA, which fled the scene after the crash.

Senior Constable Dave Masters, who died Saturday morning, was formerly a member of the police’s mounted unit. Picture: Richard Gosling

Senior Constable Dave Masters was killed while trying to stop a stolen vehicle.

“Despite the best efforts of his colleagues and first responders, he died at the scene,” Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll told reporters Saturday morning.

“As you can imagine, this is incredibly devastating for everyone involved.”

Senior Constable Masters leaves behind a wife and son.

“As you know, police officers are very close – one big family. And today is up very tough day for everyone,” Ms Carroll said.

Queensland Commissioner Katarina Carroll speaks at a media conference regarding the overnight death of police officer Senior Constable David Masters.

She said Senior Constable Masters was a “highly regarded” officer with 10 years’ experience. He was most recently based at Deception Bay, north of the Brisbane CBD.

“I spoke to his colleagues and spent some time with them at Deception Bay, and they have got nothing but wonderful words today: hardworking, capable, a beacon at the station, much loved by everyone at the station and across the community,” Ms Carroll said.

The death is being treated as a homicide and anyone who has seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage is asked to contact police.

Police said it would investigate whether the laying of road spikes contributed to the death.

Bruce Highway is closed northbound at Burpengary following a fatal police incident. Please avoid the area. The Bruce Highway is expected to stay shut for several hours. pic.twitter.com/gy7MqBjGHj

— RACQ (@RACQOfficial) June 25, 2021

The Forensic Crash Unit and Ethical Standards Command are investigating.

“Sadly, this incident demonstrates the dangers our officers face when working to keep our community safe each and every day,” Ms Carroll said.