Ceremony for officer shot in Napier siege

A low key dawn ceremony has been held for Senior Constable Len Snee, who was gunned down in Napier by Jan Molenaar a year ago today.

Police Minister Judith Collins paid tribute to Mr Snee, saying he was "a good officer, a good friend and a good man" who was killed in the line.

Ms Collins joined the Snee family and police colleagues to remember the fallen officer and unveil a memorial plaque at Napier Police Station.

"A year has now passed since we lost Len. Even after all this time, his death while serving the people of New Zealand remains difficult for us to grasp," Ms Collins said.

"No words can take away our sorrow or our sense of loss, but we can take this time to honour the legacy of a man deeply admired for his strength, courage and compassion, a man who led by example and did not shrink from his duty."

Mr Snee, an officer since 1976, was killed and fellow officers Grant Diver and Bruce Miller badly injured in the shooting.

"Len reminded us that in an uncertain world, there are still those who are prepared to put themselves on the line, to stand up for what is right and make a difference," Ms Collins said.

"Our lives are the richer for the precious time we have these extraordinary people with us."

Molenaar fired more than 120 rounds from his house after shooting the officers, who had visited in search of drugs.

Molenaar was found dead in his home after an extended police siege of his home.

His body was found lying beside the bed in the master bedroom, with a single .38 shot through the head.

Several notes were found, including one on a cardboard ammunition box which read: "U make life hard u get hard people. 2 the death! No (one) will take it from me". A skull and crossbones were drawn at the end of the message.

- NZPA