Many people celebrate QLD State memorial for police officers shot and killed in Wieambilla
The bravery of the two Queensland police officers who died in a brutal ambush will be remembered as the state honors their service.
Last week, two police officers were shot and killed in the Western Downs. Thousands of people from all over Queensland have come together to honor them.
Rachel McCrow, who was 29 years old, and Matthew Arnold, who was 26 years old, were killed on December 12 after going to a rural property at Wieambilla to check on the safety of a person who lived there.
Even though Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth, and Gareth’s wife Stacey, who killed the officers, were not mentioned in the tributes, there was a strong message behind them.
Senior Sergeant Laura Harriss said in a touching eulogy that the officers “deserved so much better” for their brave and hard work serving their community.
“The people you fought to protect owed you so much more,” she said.
“No one will ever forget your name. We’ve always loved you, and we’ll always love you.”
She ended the eulogy by reading a letter that Constable Arnold wrote to his parents after his year 12 retreat.
“I appreciate everything. “I might be gone one day, but know that I’ll never leave you. I’ll always remember every moment with you,” the letter said.
She said that the 26-year-old will be remembered as a good example who made everyone around him want to be better.
“Matt was the oldest of the triplets by only a few minutes,” she said.
“To everyone who knew him, he was a guardian, a leader, and a big brother.”
She remembered Matthew’s “broad cheeky smile” and how his charm got him through high school and into the police force.
She said that the Constable was a leader and an example to those he cared about.
Matt was so happy to be a police officer, and it was clear that he had found his true calling.
Luke Combs’s “Refrigerator Door” was played as a slideshow of pictures of the 26-year-old from different times in his life.
Senior Constable Melissa Gibson’s voice broke a few times as she remembered Constable McCrow as a “cheeky larrikin” who “loved a good meme, often at our expense.”
Archibald, the dog of the fallen officer, sat in the front row and was in many of the photos in the officer’s montage.
