Mother's devastating tribute to fallen officer
Sue Arnold, the mother of one of the fallen police officers killed during the horror ambush in remote southeast QLD, has shared a brief but touching tribute online.
Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were fatally shot at a property in Wieambilla, three hours outside of Brisbane as they carried out a missing persons call.
“Rest In Peace, my beautiful boy,” she wrote.
The two officers were brutally murdered by the two brothers who stood over them and shot them again at close range, even as Constable McCrow pleaded for her life.
Neighbour Alan Dare was also shot and killed in the attack, which sparked a massive manhunt for the offenders – Nathaniel and Gareth Train, and Gareth's wife Stacey.
Two other brave police officers, Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both 28, narrowly survived the attack, with Constable Brough becoming trapped in burning bushland as the assailants tried to smoke her out.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers told NCA NewsWire that a team of 16 special forces officers were shot at as they tried to retrieve the bodies and rescue Constable Brough.
“What I do know, is that after (the ambush), as the 16 went to retrieve Matt and Rachel, that they were fired at continuously,” he said.
“They put their lives on the line to try to retrieve their colleagues in the hope they would be able to render first aid and save their lives but sadly that didn’t happen.
Mr Leavers said constables Arnold and McCrow were “executed in cold blood”.
The pregnant wife of Constable Kirk has also shared a touching update from hospital, where her husband is recovering.
Image: Supplied