A North Motton man has been sentenced to 40 years in jail for the murder of Tasmania Police officer Constable Keith Smith, according to a report from ABC News. The sentencing of Leigh Geoffrey Sushames took place today in the Supreme Court in Burnie, as reported by the national broadcaster.
Sushames pleaded guilty to the murder charge earlier this year, Pulse Tasmania reported. The charge stemmed from an incident on June 16, 2025, when Constable Smith, 57, attended Sushames’ North Motton property to serve a court-ordered home repossession notice.
During a sentencing hearing in May, the court was told Sushames shot the officer twice. The Crown prosecutor described the murder as “little more than an execution,” according to reports from AAP News. Sushames also pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault of another officer who was present at the scene, Sergeant Gavin John Rigby.
Constable Smith was a 25-year veteran of Tasmania Police and had been stationed at Ulverstone for five years at the time of his death, Tasmania Police said in a 2025 statement. His death was the first fatal shooting of a police officer on duty in Tasmania in more than a century.
Commissioner Donna Adams described Constable Smith as a “respected and committed officer” whose loss was deeply felt. He was remembered at a community memorial on the first anniversary of his death. A community policing award and a laneway in Ulverstone have since been named in his honour, as reported by AAP News.
Constable Smith is survived by his wife and daughter.
For the full story on the sentencing, readers can refer to the original report by ABC News.