Tributes are pouring in for policewoman Kim Slade after she was tragically shot dead at Loganholme police station in the middle of the day – as a mother and veteran of the force revealed: ‘With honour, she served’
Kym Slade, 48, died at a Queensland police station after a police-issued firearm discharged around midday on Thursday For confidential crisis support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
A senior constable who was shot dead at a police station in the middle of the day has been identified as a loving mother and officer of more than 15 years.
The body of Kim Slade, 48, was found by her colleagues at Loganholme police station, south of Brisbane, about midday on Thursday – after using a police-issued firearm.
In a statement, Queensland Police said Senior Constable Slade died after a gun discharged in ‘suspicious circumstances’.
Friends and colleagues flooded social media with tributes – including a colleague who graduated from the police academy with him in 2007.
A statement from the Queensland Police Service said Senior Constable Kim Slade, 48, was killed shortly after midday last Thursday when he discharged a firearm at the police station.
Constable Slade has been remembered as a ‘beautiful soul’. Commissioner Katrina Carroll confirmed the sad news in an email to staff Thursday
The officer wrote: ‘When we entered the gates of the academy on December 3, 2007, none of us thought that one day we would have to say goodbye to one of our squad mates like this.’
‘So heartbroken that your beautiful soul is no longer with us. May you rest in peace. Forever in the hearts of Squad 395.’
Others remembered Senior Constable Slade as a ‘beautiful soul’ and were saddened that his life had ended so suddenly.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katrina Carroll confirmed the sad news in an email to staff on Thursday evening.
‘Just after midday today, Senior Constable Slade died after discharging a police-issued firearm at Loganholme police station.
‘I know you will all join me in keeping Kim’s family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts at this very difficult time.
‘I would like to sincerely thank the police and first responders who assisted at the scene, my thoughts are with you all.
‘The coming days will be incredibly difficult for our organisation, so I urge you all to look out for each other.’
Police colleagues lay flowers at Loganholme police station where Senior Constable Slade died last Thursday midday.
Wreaths have been piled outside the station – many of them laid by past and present police force colleagues.
Commissioner Carroll said the QPS made support options available to officers and psychologists, social workers, police chaplains and peer support officers were available.
‘To all our members, I mourn with you tonight,’ he said. ‘With honor he served.’
Another former colleague criticized the way Constable Slade was treated at work.
‘He would pass the shirt off to anyone behind him… wherever he went, he was unsupported,’ she said.
‘What a waste of a beautiful person. My thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.’
A third person spoke of Mrs Slade’s ‘agony’ in the weeks before her death. ‘She was a sweetheart and will be remembered as such.’
‘He didn’t deserve the pain he went through.’
Community members lay flowers outside the police station to pay their respects.
Friends, family and colleagues of the officer are being offered immediate support by the QPS in the wake of the tragedy.
An investigation into the situation was launched by the Ethical Standards Command under the supervision of the Crime and Corruption Commissioner.
For confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.