Constable Len Snee remembered

Taradale Senior Constable Len Snee was remembered yesterday eight years on after he was shot during the Napier Siege. Photo/ file.

Yesterday marked eight years since Senior Constable Len Snee was shot and fatally wounded during the Napier Siege.

Aged 53, the 33-year police veteran was killed on May 7, 2009, while carrying out a routine drugs raid at Jan Molenaar's house at 41 Chaucer Rd in Napier.

The two other police officers with him Senior Constable Bruce Miller and Senior Constable Grant Diver were shot and seriously wounded, along with a member of the public who intervened to protect the officers.

The three officers had managed to run for the street while Molenaar began to open fire before Len Snee was shot three times and killed instantly.

During a 51-hour stand-off, the offender used an arsenal of weapons to shoot at police and members of the public. He died after turning one of his guns on himself.

People were taking to social media to share their memories and condolences to the Snee family and friends.

He was described as a "compassionate", "respectable" and "understanding" officer who was missed dearly.

One man, who now lives in Australia, said he felt connected to Mr Snee after playing in the Len Snee Cup in Newman, North-West Australia.

The Len Snee Cup was included in a memorial weekend for four Australian police officers who were killed near Newman Airport on Australia Day 2001.

"I play rugby in the Pilbara , north west Australia. There is a tournament dedicated to Len in Newman played every year, it's amazing so far from home yet here he is ..."

Police said their thoughts were with Senior Constable Snee's family, friends and colleagues and all who were affected by this tragedy.