Cop killer given ticket hours before 'execution'

MELBOURNE - The motorist who shot dead a Victorian traffic policeman had reportedly been pulled over and given a speeding ticket by the officer three hours before the killing.

Senior Constable Tony Clarke pulled over 27-year-old tradesman Mark Bailey for the second time about 3am (NZT) on Sunday on an isolated stretch of Warburton Highway.

An altercation broke out between the two, and Bailey grabbed Clarke's revolver and shot him, a police source told the Herald Sun. "He then forced Clarke to lie on the ground and put a bullet in his head. He was executed in cold blood."

Bailey then drove Clarke's unmarked patrol car about 25km to Mount Evelyn, where he shot himself as pursuing officers were about to swoop.

It is understood Bailey had a psychiatric illness. His mother Judith said she could not explain her son's actions. "We have lost our son in the most tragic way involving another person."

Clarke's family said his killer was a coward who overreacted to a speeding fine.

Alastair Clarke said his brother was a "great man" with much to live for. "Anyone that would go and do that is just a coward. It's a speeding fine. Get over it."

Tina Clarke said her husband loved his family and his job. "He devoted his life to [his 19-month-old son] Connor and to myself and to his work."

Police Association assistant secretary Bruce McKenzie told ABC Radio the union wanted the Victorian coroner to investigate the practice of police working "one-up" and the safety of their utility belts, where their revolvers were holstered.

McKenzie said the union was keen to continue talks with Victoria Police Command and the state Government to arm police with semi-automatic pistols, replacing the antiquated Smith and Wesson revolvers now in use.

- AAP