‘In Chinchilla, they’ve run out of flowers’: Officers honoured after killing

Heartbreaking tributes have flowed for two slain police officers after they were killed in a horror ambush.

Australia is in mourning after a horrific ambush on unsuspecting police officers rocked the nation.

Two officers and a member of the public have died after the incident, in which three gunmen showered the group of police in bullets in an ambush in which they “didn’t stand a chance” against ”remorseless, ruthless killers”, according to Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Four officers were called to a remote property in Wieambilla, about four hours’ drive from Brisbane, to conduct a welfare check before they were caught in a hail of gunfire.

Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, was shot dead on a property at Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 26 was also killed in the horror ambush.

The township of Tara has come together to pay respects to local police officers killed overnight. Picture: NCA Newswire / David Clark

The community has rallied around local police who lost their colleagues. Picture: NCA Newswire / David Clark

Crowds gathered to show their respects in Chinchilla and Tara. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

Two officers, Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, were killed by a shower of bullets from a trio of shooters while two others, Constable Randall Kirk and Constable Keely Brough, managed to escape.

Flags were flown at half mast and floral tributes, letters and cards were overflowing outside Chinchilla Police Station in honour of the fallen officers.

“In Chinchilla, they’ve run out of flowers,” Queensland Police Union chief executive Ian Leavers told NCA NewsWire.

The local community held a minute’s silence for the two slain Constables, embracing their fellow officers and offering condolences for their colleagues.

Constable Arnold’s mother posted a photo in honour of her son on social media after the tragedy.

“Rest in Peace, my beautiful boy,” she said.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll travelled to Chinchilla Police Station to pay her respects. Picture David Clark NCA / Newswire

Locals have turned out to pay their respects to fallen police officers Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold. Picture: David Clark / NCA NewsWire

Dozens of bouquets of flowers have been placed outside of the local police station. Picture: David Clark / NCA NewsWire

Residents in the town of Chinchilla were quick to show their remorse and gratitude toward the pair. Picture: David Clark / NCA NewsWire

Emotional tributes have poured out for the pair. Picture: David Clark / NCA NewsWire

His triplet spoke about the devastating impact that losing her brother has had on her and her family.

“There are no words to express our loss,” the Courier Mail reported 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.”

She wrote that her brother was expected to be reunited with his family this holiday season.

“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”.

Tara resident Evelin Macaskill said she was “angry” to hear her town had lost two of its officers in such a brutal way.

“They shouldn‘t have been left out there to get massacred,’ Ms Macaskill told NCA NewsWire on Tuesday.

Ms Macaskill said she was devastated about the “senseless” killings and was terrified something so sinister could happen in her town.

“That‘s what this was, it wasn’t a random shooting.

“From what I can tell they were ambushed and then just slaughtered.”

“You don‘t want to see anyone getting killed just for doing their job,” she said.

“When we moved out here we were told not to just go wandering onto people‘s properties because they have guns.

“It‘s still a bit old west out here, which is one of the things you love about here but as a parent it’s quite scary too.

Tara resident Chaseley Gibbons came to the police station to pay her respects to the two officers on Tuesday. Picture: David Clark / NCA NewsWire

Ms Gibbons said she knew Constable Arnold and was ‘sad’ to hear the news of his death. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Clark

Tara resident Chaseley Gibbons came to the police station to pay her respects to the two officers on Tuesday, saying she knew Constable Arnold and was “sad” to hear the news of his death.

“He was really nice,” she told NCA NewsWire on Tuesday.

“I’ve been here all my life, 44 years, and this is the first time anything like this has rocked our town.

“It’s going to be a really, really big loss.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an “atrocity” and said the three had their lives “cruelly cut short”.

“This is, indeed, a devastating day for everyone who loved these Australians and our hearts go out to those in the grip of terrible grief,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is not a price that anyone who puts on the uniform should ever pay; we can never count the true cost.

“My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those affected by this tragedy.”

The group of officers was shot at close range by camouflage-clad gunmen during a visit to a property at Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla. Picture: David Clark / NCA Newswire

Police say it could take months for them to complete their investigation. Picture: David Clark / NCA NewsWire

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the event as a “horrific tragedy” while offering condolences to the loved ones of the two young constables.

“Sometimes we take our police for granted; sometimes we forget the risk that they take every single day of their life,” she said.

“They were so young, they were incredibly brave.

“These were absolutely callous, brutal acts and with honour they served.

“An absolutely horrific incident and our hearts just break for these two young, beautiful officers who were just doing their job.”

The town of Chinchilla has run out of flowers, according to the Queensland Police Union. Picture: NCA Newswire / David Clark

Flags have flown at half mast at police stations across the country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

South Australian Police Association president Mark Carroll said a ‘dark cloud’ was hanging over the Australian police community in the wake of the attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

Other police forces across the country have rallied behind their fallen Queensland colleagues, with police stations flying flags at half-mast today as a mark of respect.

“You feel that ripple effect across every policing organisation because there is a brotherhood and sisterhood that exists (among) policing agencies,” Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton said.

“This is a tragic reminder of the dangers that police officers face on a day-to-day basis and there was undoubtedly extraordinary bravery shown by police in this tragedy,” Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.

South Australian Police Association Mark Carroll said a “dark cloud” was hanging over the Australian police community in the wake of the attack.

“Words are pretty much useless right now. They don’t come close to easing the pain of the families, friends and colleagues of the loss,” he said.

“We can and should proclaim our genuine sorrow. But the best that we can do now, as a union and as individuals, is give those families and friends the greatest support possible.”

Originally published as ‘In Chinchilla, they’ve run out of flowers’: Officers honoured after killing