The two young police officers killed in an execution-style ambush in Queensland’s western Darling Downs have been identified.
The constables have been named as Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, both from Tara Police Station.
Queensland Police released images of the brave duo on Tuesday morning.
“It is with a heavy heart we confirm the deaths of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow,” Queensland Police captioned the images.
“Their lives were cut tragically short in the line of duty at Wieambilla yesterday.
“With Honour They Served”.
It is with a heavy heart we confirm the deaths of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow.
Their lives were cut tragically short in the line of duty at Wieambilla yesterday.
With Honour They Served. pic.twitter.com/XIahH0zGUX
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) December 12, 2022
The pair were among four officers who were responding to a missing persons report at a rural property at Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla, on Monday afternoon when they were gunned down.
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Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers said Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow were shot at close range by camoflauge-clad gunmen and died instantly.
“Their colleagues who were there, whilst under gunfire, they went in to retrieve their colleagues trying to do all they could because they did not know at that time whether they were dead or alive, they retrieved the fallen two officers but, sadly, they had already passed away,” he said.
“These officers’ tragic, needless and senseless murders have already been felt deeply across Queensland and all over Australia.
“We are all in a state of shock and disbelief.
“To know that she and he are no longer with us in what was a ruthless, calculated and targeted execution of our colleagues and loved ones brings home the very real risks that we face every single day doing our jobs.”
