‘A force for good’: How Queensland remembered the two police officers killed in Wieambilla

Colleagues trembled and choked back tears as they offered tributes to the pair. They remembered them for their bravery, their professionalism, their positive outlook, and above all for being “so completely determined to help, to be a force for good”.

Colleagues of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were among the thousands who attended their memorial service. Source: Getty / Bradley Kanaris

“It has become self-evident that these individuals reflected goodness in their lives,” Police Chaplain Jeffrey Baills told the mourning crowd.

“For every bit of evil in this world, Rach, more than anyone, would be reminding us that there are still good people who need our help,” she said.

“He was a big man with an even bigger heart so filled with love for everyone around him,” she said.

Rachel McCrow’s dog Archibald was among the memorial procession following the service for his owner who was one of the two police constables killed in the Wieambilla shooting tragedy. Source: AAP / JONO SEARLE

Slain constables awarded valour medals

“Both the Queensland Police Service and community have lost two exceptional police officers.”

Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were responding to a call for a missing person when confronted by a “hail of gunshots” at a remote Queensland property. Source: Supplied / Queensland Police

Ms Carroll said the slain officers had created a positive impression and touched the lives of countless individuals and families “in ways that cannot be expressed in words alone”.

“This barbaric act has shocked our community and it’s irreparably damaged the Arnold family and the McCrow family, and we stand and we sit with you in your grief today and in the days that lie ahead.”

Police officers formed a guard of honour to pay their respects to Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold. Source: Getty / Bradley Kanaris

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk praised the pair’s bravery in their final moments, saying like neighbour Alan Dare who was also fatally shot in the attack, they had gone towards danger rather than run from it.

“In a sea of blue, on an ocean of tears, we will shoulder this burden together, we will rededicate ourselves to their example of there being far more good than there is evil.”

A guard of honour

They had gone to the property for a missing persons check and were met by a hail of bullets fired by Gareth Train, his wife Stacey and brother Nathaniel. The shooters died in the subsequent firefight.

Wednesday’s service was also attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan and Governor Jeannette Young.