Retired Morcombe detective reflects on 43-year career

One of the leading detectives in the hunt and arrest for Daniel Morcombe’s killer has been farewelled from the Sunshine Coast police force after 43 years.

One of the leading detectives in the hunt and arrest for Daniel Morcombe's killer has been farewelled from the Sunshine Coast police force after 43 years of service.

Detective Sergeant Graeme Farlow was given a fitting tribute upon his retirement after he was piped out of the Maroochydore Police Station today in front of family, friends and colleagues.

Among his many career highlights included the arrest of Daniel's killer, Brett Peter Cowan, which marked a satisfying but sombre moment for Det Sgt Farlow.

He, and fellow Coast detective Daren Edwards were there hiding in the bushes on the day of Cowan's arrest which gave closure to the Morcombe family, years after Daniel's abduction.

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"To put a result to the end of an investigation, a result for the Morcombes," Sgt Farlow said of one of his most memorable career moments.

"My job is to satisfy the victims.

"Myself and Daren, we were there in the bushes when they took him out. The result was 100 per cent positive.

"There's a few others, a murder up at Noosa, one out west, a lot of them you don't dwell on, but the results speak for themselves."

Sgt Farlow started in the Academy in 1978 and joined the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch in 1983.

He officially retired in July last year but the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on his deserved celebrations.

Flanked by colleagues past and present as he walked out of the station, Sgt Farlow said it had been a privilege, despite being lured there on "false promises".

"I had a suspicion, having done a few of these myself," he said.

"It's only taken me 43 years to get here, but it is quite good, they're a great bunch.

"But also satisfying to see so many people through their various stages of their ranks.

"Me, being an old fart, coming through and seeing them from the beginning. I've been at this station 35 years and known all of them."

Alder typewriters or handwritten notes were the weapon of choice for officers when he first started, a far cry from the sophisticated crime fighting measures in practice now.

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His advice to today's rookies was to evolve with the times.

"To all the crew, it's a new style of policing, roll with the flow and be skilled, be safe," Sgt Farlow said.

"That's the main thing."

While Sgt Farlow's retirement closes one chapter, his daughter Jessica's only recently begun as a constable at Kawana Police Station.

"That was against my wishes, dad didn't get a say," Sgt Farlow laughed.

"But she is quite independent and I support her wholeheartedly."

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