‘Our very own Blue Angel': Devastating scenes at funeral for fatally shot officer Constable Keith Smith
Tasmanian police have paid tribute to Constable Keith Anthony Smith, who was killed in an 'incredibly rare' shooting in the state's northwest.
Constable Smith, 57, was completing a court-ordered repossession warrant on a regional property in North Motton with another officer in mid June when he was fatally shot by a man on the property.
It was the first fatal police shooting in the state since 1999.
On Friday, a police funeral was held for the fallen officer, who served with Tasmania Police for 25 years, at the Paranaple Convention Centre in Devenport.
Soft music played in the background as attendees waited for the procession to begin and paid their respects to the fallen officer.
Scores of colleagues and friends were in attendance, joining the family of Constable Smith, including his wife and 'soulmate' Janaha, three children and grandchildren.
'Forever riding', a memorial card to the veteran officer read.
Family members shed tears as they laid a yellow rose and a teddy bear on the casket, sitting beside the officer's hat and white roses, which lay on the draped Australian flag flanked by mourning officers.
Constable Smith earnt the Commissioner's Medal in 2011 as well as the National Police Service Medal for 15 years in service.
The veteran officer moved to the Ulverstone area five years ago after working in the north and northwest region of the state.
He was remembered as a 'dearly loved husband, father, poppy, son, a son-in-law, a brother-in law, an uncle, an outstanding member of the Tasmanian Police Force'.
'We will mourn him leaving us, honour his life, reverently farewell his body, and comfort one another,' the funeral MC said.
His death was a shock to the entire nation, she added.
'This is a harsher moment than we expected,' she said. 'With this death, it has opened more questions than it has answers.'
Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams recalled the letter Constable Smith wrote when applying for a role in the police force in 2000.
'He hoped to provide meaningful support to individuals while building lasting relationships founded on trust and service,' she said.
'These values, service and support, would go on to define his 25-year career.'
She spoke of the numerous awards and honours handed to Constable Smith throughout his career, including the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, the National Medal and National Olive Service Medal in 2016, as well as the commissioner's 20-year clasp in 2021.
An avid cyclist, Constable Smith rode more than 400km on his bicycle for Tasmania Police charity trust bike rides and raised more than $100,000 for Tasmanian charities.
'You can see that not only did Keith make a difference to the people in his community, but he touched people's lives in a way that was overwhelmingly positive and long lasting,' Ms Adams said.
'His loss has been felt across the policing family in our state, across Australia and New Zealand, and also across the Tasmanian community who knew him, who trusted him, and were better off for having been in his presence.'
In a ecology read by the MC, his daughter Ava spoke of Constable Smith's kindness and unwavering love.
'My dad, I love you, I miss you,' she wrote.
'You have taught me so much. I love your big smile and your big warm hugs.
'Thank you for sharing your love of gaming, bike riding and golf with me, even though I was in the bush most of the time.
'I am so proud of you and your job. I would always tell my school friends, my dad is a policeman.
'I'm sorry for not getting out of bed for school when you called me. I love you so much for taking wonderful care of me and mum.
'I love you forever.'
His wife Janaha said she was 'numb' after losing her 'gentle, loving husband'.
'I have no words. I am numb. I am lost,' she wrote in a eulogy read to the attendees.
'You are more than everything to us. You are more than just a husband and a dad.
'You are our protector, our safe place. You are the place we call home and always will be. 'You always put us first because you are the amazing person you are.
'We are so proud of you and not just for the presence you have in our lives but also for the presents you have with your Blue family and the local and wider community.
'Thank you for the best days of our life together as a family and loving Ava and I unconditionally.
'Nothing was a bother to you when it came to us. You were such a tower of strength each and every day.
'There was always a text message daily to say, I miss you. I love you.
'This is not goodbye, it is I'll see you in a minute. Love you forever, my special blue boy, from your babe. '
Choking back tears, Inspector Andrew Hanson, who began his career shortly before Constable Smith, said the fallen officer 'always had a smile on his face' and 'never let the job get to him'.
'And in fact, he managed to bring us up in times when we were feeling a bit down,' he said.
He recalled the officer being a 'hugger' who always made people feel welcome and seen.
'Keith was really proud of what he did,' he said. 'He would be genuinely humbled by the outpouring of grief from the community.
'His kindness, his compassion and his wonderful nature has rubbed off on us all and I assure you that there will be a bit of Keith with us as we continue to serve the community.'
Constable Smith's 'adopted' father-in-law Dudley read a touching poem in the officer's honour.
'We gather today to pay our respects to our very own Blue Angel and to pay homage to this faithful servant,' he said.
'We will forever remember and treasure his lasting legacy, his quiet demeanour and his fastidious attention to his chosen vocation.'
Last week, Ms Adams said Tasmania Police had been struggling to come to terms with Constable Smith's death, adding his 25-year dedication to the force would never be forgotten.
'This week has been an incredibly difficult time for our Tasmania Police family, with the death of our respected and committed colleague, Constable Keith Smith,' she said.
'Keith served with unwavering dedication and integrity, and his legacy will not be forgotten.
'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,' she said.
A 46-year-old North Motton man has since been charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.
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