Commemorative plaques honouring the lives of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold have been unveiled in Toowoomba overnight as part of a special candlelight vigil marking the 36th National Police Remembrance Day.
Constables Arnold and McCrow were ambushed along with neighbour Alan Dare by two armed offenders after being tasked to attend a rural property at Wieambilla on December 12, 2022.
South West District Officer Superintendent Mick Thiesfield said the vigil was about coming together to pause, reflect and acknowledge the sacrifice made by the two young Constables and recognise the grief their loved ones carry.
“Tonight we come together to honour both Rachel and Matthew and all our police colleagues who have given their lives in the line of duty,” said Supt Thiesfield.
“Everyday police officers take on a heavy responsibility in service of their community, it is a job that asks a great deal not only from an officer themselves but also from their families, and sometimes it asks for all that we can give.
“Each candle lit tonight helps to ensure the legacy of our fallen officers here in the Southern Region, across the state and across the country never fades.”
The commemorative plaques bearing the Constables’ names will join 21 other officers on the Queensland Police Service’s Southern Regional memorial.
Last night’s event will be followed by a National Police Remembrance Day service on Monday 29 September at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Hume Street, starting at 10am.
Officers who have died in service to QPS Southern Region:
1861 – Constable Matthew Connolly
1883 – Constable William Dwyer
1893 – Constable James Sangster
1895 – Constable Thomas Black
1902 – Constable George Doyle
1904 – Constable 1/c Charles O’Kearney
1909 – Sub-Inspector 2/c Michael Broderick
1914 – Constable John Kearney
1915 – Constable Eugene Nugent
1916 – Constable Joseph Thompson
1918- Constable Daryl Dodds
1918 – Constable John Taylor
1947 – Constable Douglas Nicol
1947 – Sergeant 1/c Arthur Neden
1950 – Sergeant 1/c Theodore Herman
1968 – Detective Senior Constable Douglas Ney
1969 – Constable Noel Steele
1975 – Sergeant 2/c Richard Harris
1982 – Plain Clothes Senior Constable Robert Moody
2017 – Senior Constable Brett Forte
2021 – Senior Constable David Masters
2022 – Constable Matthew Arnold
2022 – Constable Rachel McCrow
QPS Southern Region NPRD candlelight vigil and church services for 2025:
