Remembering Fallen Comrades

Last Friday, September 29, was National Police Remembrance Day, a day to commemorate and honour the police servicemen and women who have passed away in the line of duty, as well as those who have died outside the line of duty.

The ceremony was particularly sombre, remembering the two south Queensland officers, Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow who lost their lives following a shooting incident on a regional property in December last year.

The service also commemorated seven officers across Queensland who passed away outside of their line of duty.

Senior Sergeant Nathan Blain shared the importance of National Remembrance Day.

“I have been a police officer for 27 years now, and this day has always been very close to my heart, and everyone treasures this day. It’s important for us to honour the memory of those colleagues that we have lost over the year, who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he explained.

“Not everyone is going to be happy all the time with what police do, but we feel that the far majority are very supportive of us, which is really reassuring.

“We saw that in December last year when we had the tragic loss of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow,” Snr Srg Blain said.

“Here in the Whitsundays, we had people bringing us chocolates, letters of condolences, and sympathies, and this means a lot to us.

“We don’t do the job for the thanks, but it’s nice when we do get the recognition of those we have lost.”

The service was officiated by Chaplain Reverend Craig Yeomans and attended Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm and Whitsunday police officers.

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Whitsunday RSL Secretary Phil Smailes, Sergeant Stuart Adams, Senior Sergeant Craig Shepherd, Detective Sergeant Luke Scells, Senior Sergeant Nathan Blain, Sergeant Mark Flynn, and Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

Whitsunday Police come together to remember and pay respects to fallen comrades. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge