Brett Forte’s best friend says the policeman was increasing worried about risks of the job

THE best mate of slain Queensland police officer Brett Forte says he was becoming increasingly worried about the risks of the job.

• Cop killer taken down
• Surrender never an option
• Shot dead by police

THE best mate of slain Queensland police officer Brett Forte says he was becoming increasingly worried about the risks of the job.

But Bryce Coventon says his friend remained a committed officer who was passionate about his job until he was gunned down by career criminal Rick Maddison west of Brisbane.

Maddison killed the senior constable during a car chase west of Brisbane on Monday.

Brett Forte was married to a fellow police officer Susan. They had three children.

Police later shot him dead, ending a 21-hour stand-off. Mr Coventon said the prevalence of drugs in the Toowoomba area had heightened his friend’s concerns about the dangers of being a police officer.

“The last few times I saw him, he did let it (be) known that he was a little bit scared about the job. He was getting worried, there was a lot more drugs and things in Toowoomba,” he told ABC radio.

“I know he was concerned but he just didn’t know what else to do. But he just passionately loved the job.”

Mr Coventon said he loved his friend like a brother, and the past two days had been extremely difficult.

“It’s tough. It’s tough ... I loved him,” he said.

Both deaths are now the subject of internal police investigations by the ethical standards command.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the state’s police commissioner, Ian Stewart, paid tribute to the slain officer as a “fine son” of the police service.

Floral tributes have been left outside the police station where Senior Constable Const. Forte served as a member of Toowoomba’s Tactical Crime Squad.