Police officer Brett Forte’s inquest inspired widow Susie to become a lawyer

The barrister who fought for the widow of murdered police officer Senior Constable Brett Forte through a harrowing inquest has stood in support of her as she was admitted as a lawyer.

Susie Forte with her children Brodie, 16, Sam, 10, and Emma, 23, following her admission ceremony to be a practising lawyer, Supreme Court of Queensland, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The barrister who fought for the widow of murdered police officer Senior Constable Brett Forte through a harrowing inquest stood in support of her on Monday as she was admitted as a lawyer.

It was at the inquest into her husband’s death that Senior Constable Susie Forte first thought about the possibility of studying law.

Sitting with her legal team of solicitor Dave Garratt and barrister David Funch, she told them she was “in awe” of their drive to give both her and her husband a voice in court.

Senior Constable Brett Forte was murdered in 2017.

“I was just in awe of how much integrity they had and how strong they were and how they lifted me up when I was feeling very down,” Susie said.

“And Dave Garratt (who died the following year) turned to me with a smirk and said ‘do your law degree’.”

Brett was killed on May 29, 2017, in an ambush laid by crazed gunman Ricky Maddison.

Maddison, a domestic violence offender, had been on the run and was considered Toowoomba’s “most wanted”.

Mr Funch told the inquest both Susie and Brett’s police partner, Senior Constable Cath Nielsen, had been targeted after asking questions about whether his death could have been prevented.

Susie Forte (centre) with Senior Constable Cath Nielsen and barrister David Funch following her admission ceremony to be a practising lawyer, Supreme Court of Queensland, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“Ms Forte is a serving police officer and is the widow of Senior Constable Brett Forte who was tragically killed by a gunman near Toowoomba in the execution of his duty,” Mr Funch told the Supreme Court in application for Susie to become a legal practitioner.

“During the inquest into her husband’s death, Ms Forte was inspired to study law in order that she might be in a position to assist people as she herself had been assisted during the inquest.”

Susie said she had completed her studies while working as a police officer and raising her and Brett’s children without him.

Susie Forte with her children Brodie, 16, Sam, 10, and Emma, 23, following her admission ceremony to be a practising lawyer, Supreme Court of Queensland, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“Both Dave Garratt and Dave Funch were part of my life,” she said.

“They were Brett’s voice as well.

“When I was fighting for so long and had nothing left in me, they were my knights in shining armour.”

Susie said while she had no plans to leave the Queensland Police Service, she eventually wanted to be a legal advocate for domestic-violence survivors.

Originally published as Police officer Brett Forte’s inquest inspired widow Susie to become a lawyer