Murder charge for man accused of running over Perth police officer

A man accused of running over and killing a young West Australian police constable while allegedly attempting to avoid arrest has faced court charged with the officer's murder.

Constable Anthony Woods succumbed to his injuries in hospital when his "shattered" family turned off his life support after he was allegedly run down, reversed over and dragged after attempting to arrest occupants of an allegedly stolen car in Ascot.

Reagan Ainsley Chown, 23, was initially charged with an act to prevent arrest that caused grievous bodily harm, stealing a motor vehicle and drug offences.

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Police upgraded the charges this morning to murder after the officer's death.

Chown briefly appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via video link from Hakea Prison today.

He was not required to enter pleas and was remanded in custody to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court in July.

Constable Woods and other officers had been following the car, allegedly bearing stolen number plates, through Ascot in Perth's east about 1am on Thursday.

It came to a stop and as the officers tried to detain the three occupants, Constable Woods was hit by the vehicle and dragged underneath.

His fellow officers had to lift the car off him and attempted CPR at the scene before he was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Commissioner Col Blanch said the slain officer would be honoured with a full police funeral, but he would speak with the officer's family first about what they wanted.

The 28-year-old had just passed his probation with the force, having volunteered at the PCYC before joining the police cadets in 2019 and moving into the recruit squad in 2021.

Woods' family said they had been devastated by his loss.

"Our pain at this time is indescribable," the family said in an emotional statement.

"We are shattered to lose our dear Anthony.

"He was a devoted husband and loving son, brother, and uncle who was taken from this earth far too soon.

"Anthony will be remembered as a funny, hard-working man who loved the West Coast Eagles and mucking around with his mates."

"He brought light and laughter to every situation and his wicked sense of humour is irreplaceable."

A 20-year-old woman and 25-year-old man who were allegedly in the stolen car have been released pending further investigation.

Detectives are urging anyone who was near High Wycombe, Belmont and Redcliffe and may have seen a white Holden Cruze sedan or police vehicle travelling with lights and sirens between midnight and 1.30am to contact Crime Stoppers.

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