Tributes flow for Queensland police officers, neighbour murdered in ambush

The triplet sister of slain officer Constable Matthew Arnold has talked of her bond with him and her devastation since being told of his murder, saying “one third of me is gone”.

Loving memories and other emotional tributes are starting to flow in for two young Queensland Police officers slain in an ambush on Monday.

The triplet sister of slain officer Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, has talked of her devastation in an emotional tribute to one of her brothers.

“There are no words to express our loss,” Hayley Arnold wrote on social media.

“I can’t begin to explain the love and bond we had.

“As triplets, we were born together and were meant to grow old together.

“One third of me is gone, and in place is a physical heartbreak pain I’ve had since we received that knock on the door.”

The mother of slain police officer Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, posted this picture of him on Tuesday saying “Rest in Peace, my beautiful boy”.

Ms Arnold wrote her brother was expected to come home for Christmas.

“You were meant to come home today and stay home for Christmas. You should’ve been able to come home,” she wrote.

“Rest in Peace Matt, Matty, big Matt, Marnold, Marny.

“The hole in our lives is immense and indescribable. We will love you forever xxx”.

Queensland Police Service (QPS) Constables Arnold, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were gunned down in an ambush on the Darling Downs about 4.40pm Monday at a property in Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla. Two other officers managed to escape - one suffered a gunshot wound and the other hid in bushes until being extracted by other police teams later sent to the scene.

A local neighbour, civilian, Alan Dare, was also shot and killed by the armed offenders when he came out to investigate the commotion.

Ms Arnold asked for respect for her family in the coming days.

“Thank you for all the kind messages. Never take for granted your loved ones coming home from work,” she said.

Constable Arnold’s mother posted a picture of her son to social media on Tuesday. Sue Arnold wrote next to the photo: “Rest in Peace, my beautiful boy” with two heart emojis.

St Laurence’s College principal, Chris Leadbetter, posted a tribute to Constable Arnold, a former pupil of the South Brisbane school.

“It is with great sadness that we were informed yesterday that Matthew Arnold from the Class of 2013 tragically lost his life yesterday,” Mr Leadbetter said in a post published on the school’s social media sites.

“Matthew was a serving police officer involved in a terrible incident at Wieambilla near Chinchilla.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Arnold and Parker families, including his brother James Arnold who was also a senior from the class of 2013.”

Queensland Police Service Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, was one of two young officers who were shot and killed at a property in Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla, on the Darling Downs on Monday afternoon. Picture: Queensland Police Union Of Employees/Facebook

The principal also offered condolences to all affected by the shootings.

“We also offer condolences to the families of the other innocent victims of this tragedy,” he wrote.

“We are all reminded of the significant risk that our police deal with every day in protecting our community.”

Mr Leadbetter said Constable Arnold was a talented athlete who was awarded Sportman of the Year in 2013 and who still coached at the school.

“At this difficult time, I ask that we are mindful of the privacy of the Arnold and Parker families. Matthew is remembered as a man of service, integrity and compassion,” he said.

“May he rest in peace.”

Tara resident Chaseley Gibbons said Constable Arnold was a “respectful, really nice, young man”.

Ms Gibbons said the “close-knit family” of Tara was “heartbroken”.

“I’ve been here all my life, 44 years, and this is the first time that anything like this has rocked our town – it’s a big loss,” he said.

A wall of memorial flowers outside the Tara Police station on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Clark

In press conference on Tuesday morning, a tearful Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said Constables Arnold and McCrow and had only recently joined QPS.

She said Constable Arnold was sworn in in March 2020 and Constable McCrow was sworn in in June 2021.

They both began their careers in the Dalby division before moving to the Tara police station.

Ms Carroll said she also wanted to extend her condolences to the family of the man from a neighbouring property, also killed when he went to help.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also paid tribute to the two young officers killed.

“This is indeed a horrific tragedy and on behalf of the entire state of Queensland, I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those two constables who are tragic,” she said.

“Sometimes we take our face for granted.

“Sometimes we forget the risk that they take every single day, every single day.

“I want to echo the thoughts of the police union president Ian Leavers that whenever you see a police officer the next few days or weeks, offer them a kind word or a sign of respect.”

The premier said flags would fly at half-mast on government buildings on Tuesday as a sign of respect.

“Hopefully it will give the QPS family some comfort to know that the people of this state absolutely respect and appreciate every single thing that they do,” she said.

A minute’s silence was held for the fallen police officers at both Tara and Chinchilla police station at 12.30pm Tuesday.

Neighbour Alan Dare was also killed.

The grieving sister of neighbour Alan Dare on Tuesday spoke about her brother’s “caring” nature.

Robynne Dare said the “tragic” shooting of her brother came just six months after the passing of their father in July.

“I’m still in shock,” she said.

“Al would go out of his way to help whoever he could,

“It’s a very sad time for all our family. I’m not even sure Christmas will exist for us this year.”

Several people have also commented on a GoFundMe account to raise funds for Mr Dare’s widow.

The account was created by Brett Hovey who says he wants to raise money to give his friend “the farewell service he deserves” and to help his widow “through this hard and painful time”.

Among comments on the account were this from Kano Sykes: “Hopefully most of this can go to the widow & the state can help with his funeral, couldn’t imagine what she’s going through. Bloke went out of his way to help. Could of just stayed at home. He heard the gunshots he knew something was very wrong. He should be honoured all the same.”

Another wrote: “Very sorry to for your loss thinking of you Kerry ...sending you a very big hug love Boots.”

Another, who donated $100, wrote: “From one land owner to another, checking in on a neighbour should never end like this! Condolences to the wife.”