How Queensland towns, cities are honouring hero cops |VIDEO
Queensland’s police stations have been inundated with touching tributes to two slain officers as florists order in extra stock to keep up with demand and communities unite in grief. VIDEO, PHOTOS.
Chinchilla
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Florists and supermarkets across the Western Downs are having to order extra stock as heartfelt tributes continue across the state for two police officers and an innocent neighbour killed in a horror ambush.
Queensland police stations have been swamped with floral tributes and touching messages as communities join in mourning Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, who, along with local resident Alan Dare were gunned down by a crazed family at Wieambilla on Monday night.
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Among those delivering flowers to the Chinchilla station was little Arlo Sankey, 5, who dressed as a police officer to honour his heroes.
Within an hour of opening on Tuesday, the Chinchilla Woolworths had completely run out of flowers as residents came in droves to pay their respects, placing the bouquets at the foot of the flag at the local police station.
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The store manager told News Corp on Wednesday he’d never seen anything like it and “we are likely to sell out today as well”.
Chinchilla Florist owner Erin Ford said the store came close to running out of flowers on Tuesday but had picked up extras on Wednesday and was planning on another order by the afternoon to ensure she had enough.
Emma Boyd, owner of Wattle and Wax florist, said despite not running out completely, she experienced a high demand of orders on Tuesday and was continuing to have many more people come in on Wednesday.
“I’ve never been in this situation before,” she said.
A spokesman for Drakes Supermarket in Chinchilla said he had no more flowers to provide as he’d completely run out and only received three new stocks of flowers each week.
Police stations across the state are experiencing an influx of tributes as residents show thanks for their hard work and dedication.
At Dalby Police Station, where both slain officers had their start in policing, officer’s emotions were raw.
Photos of both their fallen colleagues were placed on a table among the many flowers delivered, candles and messages of sympathy.
In Hervey Bay, Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Brooke Flood said her office looked “like a florist” thanks to the heartwarming tributes which had also included sweets and a visit from a primary-school aged girl who simply wanted to give officers a hug.
In Brisbane, tributes were left not only at police stations but also at the Police Memorial in the city’s Botanic Gardens where Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk , Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Ministers Grace Grace and Cameron Dick also laid flowers.
Tributes were also left at stations at Gympie, the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Mackay.
Watch the touching video at the top of this story.
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