Tasmania Police Constable Keith Anthony Smith to be farewelled after tragic on-duty death

An experienced police officer shot dead at work will be farewelled by loved ones at a private funeral and with a guard of honour.

Tasmania Police Constable Keith Anthony Smith, 57, died on June 16 when he approached a property in rural Tasmania to deliver a court-ordered home repossession warrant.

His death marked the first fatal shooting of an officer in the island state in more than a century.

A 46-year-old North Motton man has been charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Family, friends, colleagues and other invited guests will mourn Const Smith at a private funeral in Devonport on Friday.

It will be followed by a guard of honour and a funeral procession through Devonport and Ulverstone, with members of the public who wish to pay tribute to him encouraged to attend.

Tasmania Police said the outpouring of kindness and support for the veteran officer was deeply moving.

“Keith was a proud member of Tasmania Police who was deeply respected by his colleagues and his community,” the force said.

“His service and spirit will not be forgotten.”

The well-respected officer joined the force in 2000 and received several honours during his career, including the commissioner’s medal in 2011.

A keen cyclist, he rode through Tasmania to raise money for tsunami victims in Asia and in 2011, completed a 420km mountain route for the Menzies Institute for Medical Research.

Police professional standards and the coroner are investigating the shooting.

Const Smith attended the house along with another experienced frontline officer, with a supporting team of three specialist operations group officers stationed in the driveway.

The alleged offender was shot in the hand by one of the specialist operations group and then surrendered, police said.