For the first time in more than a century a police officer in Tasmania has been killed during a routine assignment. 57-year-old Constable Keith Smith was gunned down in the state's north-west while serving a repossession warrant. Detectives are waiting to interview the alleged offender who remains under police guard in hospital after being shot during the incident.
00:00Respected, committed and decorated, Constable Keith Smith was a 25 year veteran of the police force
00:10whose tragic and violent death has left loved ones, colleagues and the broader community devastated.
00:18It's been a really challenging 24 hours to lose one of your own in such tragic circumstances.
00:24Constable Smith was shot at a rural property in North Motten yesterday as he and another uniformed officer went to serve a court issued warrant to repossess the residence.
00:36As you can imagine, his wife is distraught. They're in a space that they never expected to be in.
00:43Three members of the heavily armed special operations group who were providing backup nearby rushed onto the property
00:51and shot the alleged gunman in the hand before arresting him soon after.
00:57The scene leaving local residents stunned.
01:01It's pretty confronting, a bit shocking that this would happen in such a quiet neighbourhood.
01:05I think all of us who have police in our families as well will be hugging them a little tighter tonight
01:12because this is just so incomprehensible.
01:16Members of the community he served paid their respects to the fallen officer.
01:21When I was growing up I was a little bit naughty, got myself into a little bit of trouble and he always kept me out of it
01:27and always told me to steer clear and keep my head high.
01:30Amid the heartache there are still unanswered questions, including whether police were aware that the alleged offender had a firearm
01:38and what more could have been done to reduce any risks.
01:41We will work methodically through that investigation and we hope to piece together what were the actions and motivations for such a tragic incident.
01:51Constable Smith's death comes as officers around the country marked the first ever National Police Legacy Day.
01:59A poignant reminder of the sacrifices those on the front line continue to make as they protect the community.
