Their photos have already torn hearts out – on social media, in newspapers, or on the screens in front of thousands at the Gabba.
Two young police officers, kind-eyed and smiling – both murdered during an ambush at a Wieambilla property last week.
Images of 29-year-old Constable Rachel McCrow and 26-year-old Constable Matthew Arnold have been circulated daily, accompanied by messages of love, respect and solidarity as people try to make sense of a senseless crime.
Today, the public receives an answer to one of the most heart-breaking questions raised by this tragedy: Who were constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow?
We know they were young, and neither had been a police officer for long: Constable Arnold graduated the academy in 2020, Constable McCrow in 2021.
We know that, despite their short time in uniform, they left an undeniable mark through their work.
Look no further than the country town of Tara where they served, and made such an impact, that a sizeable portion of its population has repeatedly turned up at vigils.
Today, many more will pay their respects at a memorial service with full police honours in Brisbane with about 8,000 people expected to attend the ticketed event, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall – Australia's second-biggest permanent indoor arena – will hold the event.
After the service, thousands of current and former police officers will line the road from the entertainment centre forming a guard of honour and saluting their fallen colleagues.
Bus loads of police officers from all across the state and their families streamed into Boondall from early this morning.
Superintendent Douglas McDonald said the families of constables McCrow and Arnold were involved in planning the ceremony.
"We're extremely respectful of their wishes," he said.
"This is going to be very harrowing day for them, a very emotional day and we're here to support them."
Following the service, a number of units — the Queensland Police Service pipes, the Mounted Unit, Dog Squad vehicles and motorcycles — will make a guard of honour for the hearses of the constables which is expected to stretch for a kilometre.
The service will also be broadcast at 11 other public venues across the state:
- Brisbane's King George Square
- Alpha Town Hall
- Queensland Police Memorial at Cameron's Corner, Rockhampton
- Gladstone outdoor cinema
- Mackay Entertainment Centre
- Bowen Police-Citizens Youth Club
- Dalby Events Centre,
- Chinchilla Country Hope Church
- Tara Memorial Hall,
- Miles Williams Miles Hall
- Townsville Stadium.
You can watch the service on ABC Queensland or the ABC News Channel, or follow our live blog which will begin later this morning.
Private funerals will be held for constables McCrow and Arnold with their families and friends after the memorial service.
