12 May 2009

Thousands expected at Napier officer's funeral

10:22 pm on 12 May 2009

Several thousand people are expected to attend the funeral of Senior Constable Len Snee, killed by a Napier gunman on Thursday.

Jan Molenaar shot Mr Snee three times as he attempted to carry out a warrant at his Chaucer Road property.

Two officers and a civilian were also seriously wounded in the attack and are in Hawke's Bay hospital.

After a 50-hour siege, Molenaar, 51, was found dead in his house filled with weapons.

Police have released details of Mr Snee's funeral service on Wednesday.

Mr Snee's casket will be taken into Napier's Municipal Theatre by members of his family and will be carried out at the end of the service by police colleagues.

The cortege will then travel along Tennyson Street and turn into Marine Parade. A private cremation for the 53-year-old officer will then be held.

Prime Minister John Key, Police Minister Judith Collins, Opposition MPs and Police Commissioner Howard Broad are all expected to attend.

Death marked in Parliament

MPs in Parliament observed a minute of silence on Tuesday to mark their respect for Senior Constable Snee.

Mr Key moved that Parliament express its sorrow at Mr Snee's death and its support for his fellow officers injured during the siege.

He said the incident is a stark reminder of the risks that officers take every day to protect the public.

Labour Party leader Phil Goff said words could not adequately express the loss that Mr Snee's family must be feeling.

Me Goff told the House Mr Snee was the 29th police officer killed in the line of duty.