Thousands of Queenslanders are expected to gather across the state to pay their respects to two officers who were gunned down in the Western Downs last week.
Constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, were killed on December 12 after they attended a welfare check on a rural property at Wieambilla.
The pair were executed by Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and Gareth’s wife Stacey.
The officers were reportedly visiting the property after receiving a tip-off about a missing persons report for Nathaniel Train.
Their colleagues, constables Keely Brough and Randall Kirk, were also caught up in the horrific ambush, but both managed to escape with their lives and call for help.
The Trains also murdered their neighbour, Alan Dare, who had come to the property to help after spotting smoke.
NCA NewsWire understands a private funeral will be held for Mr Dare in Ipswich on Friday.
A memorial service will be held in honour of the two constables at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Wednesday from 10am.
Superintendent Doug McDonald said the fallen officers would be given full police honours, with a guard of honour being given by the Queensland Police Service’s dog unit, mounted unit and police motorcycles.
“The memorial is a significant undertaking and major operation for the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
“Our aim is to make sure we honour our fallen officers with a highly dignified and fitting memorial.
“We want to recognise their sacrifice, honour their bravery and celebrate their lives.
“Our liaison officers and chaplains have been working closely with the families to ensure they are heavily involved in the service on Wednesday.
“After the memorial, there will be private ceremonies for the families.”
Dignitaries are also expected to attend the public memorial, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.
The memorial will be livestreamed by Queensland Police Service on Facebook, and Channel 9, 7 and ABC News 24 will televise the memorial from 9.30am.
“We know there is a lot of community interest and many Queenslanders who want to share this memorial service with us and the families of the fallen officers,” Superintendent McDonald said.
Queenslanders are invited to pay their respects in several public spaces across the state, including:
- King George Square, Brisbane City, from 10am
- The Alpha Town Hall, corner of Dryden and Tennyson streets, Alpha, from 9.45am
- Queensland Police Memorial at Cameron’s Corner, Rockhampton, from 10am
- Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Alfred St, Mackay from 9.20am
- PCYC Bowen, corner Hay St and, Queens Rd, Bowen from 9.45am
- Dalby Events Centre, 54 Nicholson St, from 10am
- Chinchilla Country Hope Church, 3 Burbank St, from 10am
- Tara Memorial Hall, Day St, from 10am
- Miles William Miles Hall, Leichardt Centre, 29 Dawson St, Miles, from 10am
- Townsville Stadium, 40-48 Murray Lyons Crescent, Annandale from 9.30am
The two officers have been in the hearts and minds of Australians all week, as the country continues to grapple with how such a horrific crime could occur.
Superintendent McDonald said the QPS thanked the community for its ongoing support during this difficult time.
“The tragic circumstances have weighed heavy on all members of the police service,” he said.
“It’s their colleagues who have had to pull this together but everyone has got on-board.
“They know how important this is for their colleagues, especially from the South West District where these officers worked but also for the families, to make sure we honour and recognise the sacrifice these officers have made.
“But what has made this a lot easier for us has been the overwhelming support from the community.
“The number of people who have offered their support … from the big companies to the individuals in the street who have offered our officers their condolences and support has been truly overwhelming and has really buoyed us that the community is so, so supportive of us in these times of tragedy.”
Superintendent McDonald said officers from the South West District, who worked closely with constables McCrow and Arnold, would continue to be offered support as they grieved the loss of their colleagues.
“We make sure we’re continuing our nominal policing activities,” he said.
“That’s where the great work of the QPS (happens) in supporting each other, recognising how close the colleagues were to each other in the South West District and giving them the opportunity to come in for this important event.
“For even those officers who have to remain on duty and have to keep the community safe and can’t attend, there will be opportunities to view this as well (through the livestream).
The towns of Tara and Chinchilla, where the officers were stationed, have been grieving on their own terms.
Chinchilla Florist owner Erin Ford told NCA NewsWire last week that she had been swept off her feet with orders, as residents far and wide wanted to pay their respects to the police.
Ms Ford said she’d ordered extra flowers to cope with the demand.
“It goes to show how grateful everyone is for their service,” she said.
“It’s just gut-wrenching to think about what happened,” she said.
“It’s almost surreal, like watching a bad movie.”