THE tragedy of six people killed in an execution-style ambush and siege is being felt across Queensland today.
Wreaths were being laid outside the police station in Tara in the Western Downs as locals grieved the loss including two young police constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, both shot dead “in the line of duty” at nearby Wieambilla.
Arnold was a former student at Brisbane’s St Laurence’s College, a graduate and Sportsman of the Year in 2013.
“Matthew is remembered as a man of service, integrity and compassion,” St Laurence’s principal, Chris Leadbetter wrote on the College Facebook page.
“We also offer condolences to the families of the other innocent victims of this tragedy. We are all reminded of the significant risk that our police deal with every day in protecting our community.”
Four Queensland police officers went to a property in Wieambilla on Monday afternoon to investigate a missing persons case from New South Wales.
As they approached, two officers — Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold -were fatally shot by two armed offenders, and a member of the public was also shot and killed.
The alleged offenders — two men and a woman — were then shot and killed by police late last night.
Alan Dare, a 58-year-old man from a neighbouring property,was shot after going to investigate what appeared to be a car fire at the property.
An emotional Queensland Police commissioner, Katarina Carroll said the slain officers were “committed and courageous young people”.
“In this awful incident, they made the ultimate sacrifice,” she said.
Matthew Arnold was sworn in as a police officer in March 2020, while Rachel McCrow joined the force in June 2021.
“To lose two officers in one incident is absolutely devastating,” Carroll said.
“This event is the largest loss of police life we have suffered in a single incident in many years.”
Carroll also praised the other two police officers who had visited the property with Arnold and McCrow.
“They bravely did what they could to save their colleagues in the most horrendous circumstances,” Carroll said.
“Their bravery was beyond belief.”
