The BART police officer who fired a fatal shot into his friend and supervisor while searching an apartment for a robbery suspect went to the transit police after serving several years as a police officer in Moraga.
Michael Maes, pictured at right, worked in Moraga from 1988 to 2000 before taking a job with BART – where he worked closely with friend and brother officer Tom Smith for several years. The pair were among a squad of officers searching for a robbery suspect at a one-bedroom apartment in Dublin Tuesday when for reasons still unexplained Maes’ weapon discharged, his bullet mortally wounding Sgt. Smith.
Smith, of San Ramon, was rushed to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley but he died of his wound. He leaves his wife Kellie – who is also a serving BART police officer – and a 6-year-old daughter.
A stunned and grieving law enforcement community quickly formed a protective cordon around the families of both men. Police officials asked the press for time to process their loss and have given few details of the shooting, leaving it unclear if Maes’ gun discharged accidentally while five officers searched the home of a suspected armed robber at the Park Sierra complex at 6450 Dougherty Road in Dublin, or if Maes fired at a perceived threat – mistakenly hitting Smith.
Family and law enforcement friends of Maes said the officer is “devastated” by the shooting and loss of his friend.
