Queensland Police Service honour fallen constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold

Chaplain Jeffrey Baills summed up the defiance of the Queensland Police Service on Wednesday as he addressed an ocean of blue at the funerals of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.

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“We have had a major attack on the police in Queensland,” chaplain Jeffrey Baills told an ocean of blue, the coffins of their slain colleagues at his feet.

“But … we will not be broken.”

Five years after offering words of comfort at the funeral of Senior Constable Brett Forte, Mr Baills again stood before a crowd of thousands, trying to comprehend another senseless act of violence.

Police from across Queensland, Australia and even New Zealand gathered on Wednesday to honour two murdered police officers – Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold – killed in the line of duty.

“We will tomorrow turn up to our shift,” Mr Baills continued, “and we will stand shoulder to shoulder again and seek to do the best we can to keep Queensland safe and fulfil our duties as outstanding men and women.

“We call you police officers.”

An official image of the coffins of Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold at their Brisbane funerals. Source: Queensland Police Service

Friends, family, colleagues, firefighters, paramedics and more than 200 dignitaries filled the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, federal Opposition Leader and former police officer Peter Dutton, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Queensland Governor Jeannette Young among those who came to pay their respects.

The families of Senior Constable Forte, shot by fugitive gunman Ricky Maddison in 2017, and Sally Urquhart, who died in a plane crash in 2005, were also in attendance.

Constables McCrow and Arnold were killed during a routine missing persons inquiry at a Wieambilla property in the Western Downs on December 12.

They and another crew, Constable Keely Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, were at the acreage to ask about former school principal Nathaniel Train, reported missing in NSW.

As they walked towards the house, Nathaniel, his brother Gareth and Gareth’s wife Stacey opened fire from the bush, killing the two officers and wounding Constable Kirk.

A sea of blue at the memorial service at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Picture: Queensland Police Service.

Constable Brough escaped into the scrub where she was hunted for up to two hours, the Trains shooting into the trees and lighting fires to flush her out. The Trains then shot and killed their neighbour, Alan Dare after he saw the smoke from the fire and came to investigate.

An extraction team of 16 local police officers went on to the property under fire to recover the bodies of constables McCrow and Arnold.

The Trains were later killed by Special Emergency Response Team officers after negotiation efforts failed.

On Wednesday, colleagues who were close to the slain officers spoke of their bravery.

“We are struggling, Rach, but we will continue to tell your story,” Constable Freddy Hartigan said.

“We will tell of your dedication, we will tell of your laughter, we will tell of your warmth, we will tell with honour you served.”

Another close friend, Senior Constable Melissa Gibson, said Constable McCrow was the one to remind her colleagues that “for every bit of evil in this world … there are still good people who need our help”.

“Rach, I’m so proud of you for the courage you displayed in your final moments and for being the fighter that you are,” she said.

“I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you when you needed me the most. That is something that will forever haunt me.”

140+ pics: Spectacular guard of honour farewells colleagues

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To the extraction team, she said: “To Rachel’s brothers in blue who showed an enormous amount of courage to go in and bring her out – thank you for not leaving our sister behind.”

Honouring her close friend Constable Arnold, Senior Sergeant Laura Harriss spoke of the 26-year-old’s smile and charisma – two assets he used “relentlessly”.

“As Matthew was about to graduate from school, it was customary for the year 12s to receive letters from their parents containing fond memories and proud moments,” she told the audience. “In Matthew’s letter it read: ‘You have been blessed with height and people will have to look up to you during your lifetime. The important thing is to be the kind of man that makes them want to’.

“Nearly 10 years later, we can now say with certainty that Matthew took this advice to heart.”

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll spoke of both officers’ lives, their achievements and dreams of becoming police officers and serving their communities. “Matthew and Rachel were colleagues and friends who have been taken from us far too soon,” she said.

“They were committed and enjoyed their policing careers and their passing is a tragic loss.

“Both the Queensland Police Service and the community have lost two exceptional police officers.

“They served with honour, but it was we who were honoured to have known and served with them.”

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll presents Rachel McCrow's family with a plaque at the memorial for Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the officers were determined to be a “force for good” and dedicated their lives to it. “Families, friends, colleagues, even strangers from the smallest communities where Matthew and Rachel served, to our bigger cities, even around the world, we recognise and appreciate the everyday heroism of our police,” she said.

“In this sea of blue, on an ocean of tears, across our state and around our country we will shoulder this burden together.”

After the service, thousands of officers stood shoulder to shoulder for 1.5km, forming a guard of honour for their fallen colleagues.

As officers lined both sides of the street, a procession of motorbikes, mounted police, dog squad and flag bearers slowly passed by. Holding back tears, officers saluted the young constables as hearses carrying their caskets drove by.

Constable McCrow’s blue heeler Archie followed a procession of officers. Constable Arnold’s dog Katana was also brought to the service.

Constables Arnold and McCrow were posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal and the National Medal, as well as the Queensland Police Service Medal – all usually given after 15 years of ethical and diligent service. They were also awarded the Queensland Police Valour Medal, the highest level of recognition of bravery the QPS can award.

The memorial service was followed by private funerals for both officers, attended by friends and family.