Police recruits’ heartbreaking letters to fallen cops Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold

Queensland’s latest batch of police recruits have saluted slain constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, with a senior officer revealing their deaths had “absolutely rocked” the academy.

A senior cop who helped train slain rookie officer Rachel McCrow at the Townsville Police Academy has told of his heartbreak that she will never realise her potential to do “great things”.

Sergeant Shaun Byrnes is an education and training officer at the academy where Constable McCrow, 29, trained last year as a recruit.

Sgt Byrnes said he was “absolutely rocked” when he heard one of his most promising and popular students had been gunned down in the line of duty just 18 months after graduating.

“There was never any doubt in our minds about Rachel’s capacity to become an excellent and outstanding police officer,” he said.

“She was potentially destined for great things and it’s just an awful shame that she’s not going to be able to realise her potential.”

Sergeant Shaun Byrnes trained Constable Rachel McCrow at the academy in Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

Constable McCrow started at the academy in January last year as one of 43 cadets, and Sgt Byrnes fondly remembered her time there and the impression she made.

“Rachel was a lovely young woman,” he said.

“She was a warm and caring person and a very conscientious student who was extremely well-regarded by her trainers and squad-mates. Her smile lit up the room and there was no issue about her sense of humour.

“She had a bachelor of justice in criminology and got over 90 per cent in all her exam results, but she never big-noted herself. She was a very modest and humble person.”

Sgt Byrnes said even before going to the academy, Const. McCrow honed her criminal justice experience working at the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Constable Rachel McCrow.

Constable Matthew Arnold.

She also had a passion for community work, volunteering “huge hours” selling charity raffle tickets for the North Queensland Cowboys, teaching disadvantaged youth safer driving skills and taking part in a 12-hour swim-a-thon to raise funds for MS Queensland.

“Anything that needed to be done, she was always there to help – she was very selfless,” Sgt Byrnes said.

Sgt Byrnes said Const. McCrow’s death had hit academy staff hard but they had to pull together for the sake of the latest batch of recruits who graduated on Thursday in a bittersweet ceremony.

He and many of Const. McCrow’s fellow graduates will attend next week’s funeral at Boondall Entertainment Centre for her and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, who was also shot dead in the horrific police ambush at Wieambilla on the Darling Downs last Monday.

Police recruits’ letters to fallen constables

Camron Dixon

Constable Camron Dixon.

Dear Rachel and Matt,

We had only just finished polishing our boots and readying our dress uniform for graduation day when the terrible news came in.

We supported each other throughout the night as our worst fears were realised.

Thoughts of you both never left our minds.

The next morning, our academy facilitators supported us as we discussed your stoic service and reflected on your unfathomable loss.

Many of these facilitators trained you, Rachel.

Their tears were for a recruit-turned-friend and fellow QPS family member.

I know this was the same for you too, Matt, but down south where you trained.

We have read hundreds of tributes left to you both online.

As soon as one is posted, thousands more appear. Some are from friends, fellow officers and of course, the most heart-wrenching are from your beloved families.

Community members have, in their thousands, left cards and flowers for you across the state.

Your loss has caused untold devastation.

But it has also motivated us to do everything in our power to keep each other safe, not only out on the road, but back at station, too.

We lay you to rest next week, only a few days before Christmas.

All of us are thinking of your families, friends and loved ones.

They should not have to know this pain and we don’t want them to feel alone.

They have raised in you, two brilliant people who in their all-too-short lives have achieved so much.

With honour you served.

Regards,

First Year Constable

Camron Dixon, 29 years

Whitsunday Station

Maya Fellows

Constable Maya Fellows.

Dear Rachel and Matt,

This week our Commissioner — your Commissioner — spoke to us about your bravery, valour and courage.

She commended your strength of character and your devotion to community.

But most of all, she remembered you, Rachel and Matt, two young people who gave their all in service to others.

Two young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.

Two young people who should be here.

When she spoke at our graduation, our class were so moved by her words, grace and stoicism in the face of this unthinkable tragedy.

We wept for your loss since we heard the news and will continue to as we come to terms with what’s happened.

We placed two peaked caps and two roses to honour you.

We felt your presence then and will continue to — always — throughout our service.

The outpouring of public support for police and our work since your passing has been extraordinary.

In the days following, my partner, also a serving officer, was approached by a member of the public to thank him for his service.

This fellow shook his hand with gratitude. He was devastated for you both.

My partner is only a few years older than you, Matt, and it really brought home to me how raw the grief your family, friends — and of course – your second family, the officers from your station, would be feeling.

He also taught you as a recruit, Rachel, remarking on your immediate aptitude for the job and your humble yet warm nature.

We will support those left behind, always.

We salute you both.

You are gone too soon, tragically taken and forever remembered.

Regards

First Year Constable

Maya Fellows, 27 years

Mundingburra Station

Alexander Campbell

Constable Alex Campbell.

Dear Rachel and Matt,

Graduating today my excitement was probably just as palpable as yours felt only just a few years before.

We have all felt a calling to help others by donning ‘the blue’.

You both embodied the type of officer I could only hope to become.

And your badge and blood family are reeling from your devastating loss.

There have been some hard days to get through and we know many harder ones are to come.

But our service is truly one big family … we all experience that first-hand in our training and mentoring and I know how strongly everyone has rallied to support our colleagues down south in this terrible time of grief and bereavement.

We’re all rallying to look after your families, too, including your precious furbabies, Rachel.

If you could only see the thousands of heartfelt letters, cards and bouquets left at stations across the state in your honour, you would be humbled.

The outpouring of compassion and gratitude for your service has been incalculable.

It is an unspeakable tragedy you are both forever young. There are no words I know of to express this senseless loss.

We will honour you in our service.

Your sacrifice will not be in vain and we will make you proud as the next generation of police — protecting and enhancing the safety of the community.

Vale to you, Rachel and Matt.

Regards,

First Year Constable

Alex Campbell, 33 years

Ingham Station

Zoe Maker

Constable Zoe Maker.

Dear Rachel and Matt,

Today I officially joined our blue family graduating alongside forty of my peers, ready to protect those around me, just like you did.

We’d long ago mastered our formation march as the bagpipes and drums rang out, just like you did.

We listened earnestly as the police ode was read aloud, just like you did.

And we excitedly accepted our police badges from officers with decades of experience, a symbolic changing of the guard, just like you did …

All of us fought back tears as we observed a minute’s silence honouring your loss.

And just like you did, we will serve our communities proudly and with distinction.

I am one year younger than you were, Rachel, when you graduated as a First Year Constable.

Today when your picture beamed back at us, I was struck by how similar we look, as though we could be sisters.

And my thoughts turned to your family and my heart aches for them, as it does for Matt and his.

You are our inspiration and will always be close to our hearts.

Regards,

First Year Constable

Zoe Maker, 24 years

Mareeba Station

James Pegg

Constable James Pegg.

Dear Rachel and Matt,

Your bravery, courage and professionalism will always be remembered.

Your loss has resonated deeply with police and the public both here, and across the world.

It’s with disbelief we carry on — though we are strong and committed to honouring your legacy, day in and day out.

When the news broke, those of us living at recruit lodgings came together to try to make sense of what’s occurred.

Our thoughts turned to your loved ones and your colleagues, who are hurting.

We mourn with them.

From the Commissioner to recruits, every officer has been moved by your unwavering devotion to service.

Conversations and tears have flowed readily as we reflect on your selflessness.

Our collective distress has, however, been channelled into a higher resolve – to role model your strength, determination and drive to help others.

It’s what you both did up until the end and we will never forget your sacrifice.

Regards,

First Year Constable

James Pegg, 30 years

Ingham Station

Kelsey Wilson

Constable Kelsey Wilson.

Dear Rachel and Matt,

We are so proud of you.

Through our tears and profound grief, we find strength in reflecting on your service.

You inspire us to do more and role model the highest standards of policing for those that call on us.

Your commitment to duty will never be forgotten.

We know that grief is the price we pay for love and that’s especially true in our service, which is very much a strong-knit family.

We found out just how strong when coming together to honour you.

The day after your passing we held a minute’s silence and as again as we graduated — your spirit and resolve lives on and through us.

Thank you for the countless lives you have changed for the better as police.

Your legacy is eternal as is our pride and gratitude for everything you have sacrificed to help others.

Regards,

First Year Constable

Kelsey Wilson, 26 years

Cook Town Station