A Tasmanian man who shot dead a police officer serving a repossession order on his home has been sentenced in the Supreme Court in Burnie.
Leigh Geoffrey Sushames, 46, was sentenced on Friday by Justice Tamara Jago to 40 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 25 years.
Justice Jago described the murder as a “premeditated, intentional killing” and “the gravest of criminal conduct”.
Sushames pleaded guilty in January to murdering Constable Keith Smith and to one count of aggravated assault.
He pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Sergeant Gavin Rigby.
Smith, 57, was shot twice at Sushames’ Allison Road property at North Motton on June 16, 2025. He died at the scene.
Smith and Rigby had gone there to deliver a court-ordered writ of possession.
Smith had served with Tasmania Police for 25 years. His death was the first fatal shooting of a Tasmania Police officer in a century.
The court earlier heard Sushames owed more than $200,000 and had told a friend nobody would take his house from him.
After the sentencing, Smith’s wife Janaha Smith and his family said they wanted him remembered for who he was.
“Now that the court process is complete, we hope that Keith can be remembered for the man he was, not the way he was lost,” they said in a statement.
“Keith’s legacy is that policing works best when it is grounded in community, trust and human connection.”
They said Smith would always be remembered as a devoted partner, a loving father, son and brother and a loyal friend.
Police Commissioner Donna Adams said the sentence was an important step.
“While nothing can undo the tragic events or bring Keith back, today’s outcome is an important step in holding the offender to account,” she said.
Adams said the court heard “deeply moving victim impact statements”, which reinforced the consequences of the loss.
She said the lead-up to the sentencing and the first anniversary of Smith’s death had been hard for the service.
“For those who were directly involved or who knew Keith, the grief and trauma remain real and ongoing,” she said.
“The support from the Tasmanian community – including the many messages of support, respect and care – has been a powerful reminder that we are not alone.”
