BART Police Officer Accidentally Killed by Another Officer

A veteran BART police sergeant was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer during a search Tuesday afternoon at a robbery suspect's Dublin apartment -- the first officer killed in the line of duty in the transit police department's 42-year history, authorities said.

The friendly-fire death sent a chill through the law enforcement community, who turned out in large numbers to salute the fallen officer at a Castro Valley hospital. Late Tuesday the Alameda County Coroner's office confirmed that he was 42-year-old Sgt. Tom Smith Jr., a 20-year law enforcement veteran.

"This is a shocking thing for a BART officer to be killed in the line of duty," said elected BART Director Gail Murray, of Walnut Creek. "But like all peace officers, our BART police risk their lives when they go out to work in the stations and cities. We feel very saddened for the family, who would not expect (this to) happen to their loved ones."