December 19, 2022
A short service was held at the flagpole outside Kingaroy Police Station on Monday morning to honour the two police officers and a civilian killed in last week’s siege at Wieambilla.
Police officers from across the region and their family members – many of whom were wiping away tears – were joined in solidarity by contingents from local emergency services as well as many members of the public and local councillors.
Police Chaplain John Selwood opened the service with a short prayer, seeking comfort for the families of Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, from Tara police station, and local resident Alan Dare, who had come to investigate a fire.
District Inspector Scott Stahlhut, Murgon Police Officer-in-Charge Brett Everest, Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto also spoke before wreaths and floral tributes were laid at the foot of the flagpole, the Police Ode was recited and a minute’s silence held.
Mrs Frecklington reminded the crowd that police every day “walk into the line of fire on our behalf so we don’t have to”.
And she thanked the local police officers who have been helping out in police stations at Chinchilla, Miles and Tara since the Wieambilla tragedy.
Mayor Otto also thanked police and their families for their service but took aim at people who share conspiracy theories online.
“To those who take it upon themselves to propagate and promulgate wild conspiracy theories, hateful manifestos, vitriolic mass gatherings and fringe message boards and websites targeting our police, shame on you!,” Mayor Otto said.
“To those rebel politicians who seek personal glory through misinformed rhetoric, to the media who give you airtime … and to those keyboard warriors who through some delusional mindset hold yourselves out to be leaders in promoting hatred towards our authorities and our police, again I say, shame on you.”
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Arnold & McCrow Remembrance Fund:
(established by the Queensland Police Union)
BSB: 704052
Account: 100 211 820
Ref: your name
Alan Dare Farewell GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/allan-dare-farewell
I was in attendance at this ceremony and was moved by the youth of the many police officers who honoured their comrades.
My particular concern is for the parents of the two deceased officers and the family of Alan Dare.
Unfortunately, my family has suffered the loss of a child, and we vividly remember the visit from members of Kingaroy police to check on our welfare. It is unfortunately an exclusive club and I wish no other parents should join.