Constable Keith Anthony Smith served in the Tasmanian Police force for 25-years.
Share and Follow

A man accused of the shooting murder of a veteran police officer at a rural property has appeared in court without entering a plea.

Constable Keith Smith, who was awarded a full police funeral with ceremonial honours, died on June 16 while delivering a court-ordered home repossession notice at North Motton in Tasmania’s north-west.

Leigh Geoffrey Sushames, 46, the resident of the property, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Constable Keith Anthony Smith served in the Tasmanian Police force for 25-years.
Constable Keith Anthony Smith served in the Tasmanian Police force for 25-years. (Tasmania Police)

He appeared via video link in Launceston Magistrates Court today but didn’t enter a plea to any of the charges.

Sushames was remanded in custody and will next appear in court on August 11.

Police have previously said Const Smith, 57, was shot not long after leaving his car at the property.

He was at the house with another experienced officer and two other people involved in the home repossession process.

Police said specialist group officers, who were stationed at the driveway of the property, shot Sushames in the hand. He then surrendered.

Const Smith, who was part of the police force for 25 years, has been remembered as a committed and respected officer who was always the “good cop”.

His daughter and wife said they were proud of his career and described him as their protector.

Police professional standards and the coroner are investigating the incident – the first fatal shooting of an officer in Tasmania since 1922.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
A zoo keeper is having emergency surgery in hospital being "grabbed" by a big cat at a zoo in southern Queensland.Emergency services were called to Darling Downs Zoo in Pilton, south of Toowoomba, this morning after the woman was attacked in an enclosure by one of the big cats.

“Lioness attack at the zoo results in owner’s relative losing an arm: a tragic incident”

Emergency services were called to Darling Downs Zoo in Pilton, south of…

Coroner says Kumanjayi Walker’s death could have been prevented, Rolfe tended to use excessive force.

Warning: this article contains distressing and violent content and the photo of…
Zachary Rolfe

Coroner determines that cop who shot Indigenous teenager had racist motives

WARNING: This story contains an image of an Aboriginal person who has…
Erin Patterson

“Maximum Sentence of Life in Prison for Patterson”

Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been found guilty of three counts of…
Crew abandons ship in Red Sea after 'drone boat' attack

Crew leaves ship in Red Sea following a drone boat assault

Crew members aboard a Liberian-flagged ship set ablaze by a series of…

Donald Trump criticizes Elon Musk’s new political party as ‘absurd’

United States President Donald Trump has called Elon Musk’s plans to form…
Former NRL star 'relieved' after cops drop weed and stolen cash charges

Former NRL player feels relieved after authorities drop charges related to possession of marijuana and stolen money

A feted former NRL speedster has been cleared of possessing drugs and…

Synagogue arson called ‘an attack on Australia’ by Burke as Israel’s PM calls for action

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says he is “glad” police quickly made…