Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold: Two cops ambushed and killed during gunfight at remote property

The two surviving officers were later identified as Constable Keeley Brough and Constable Randall Kirk, both 28 and based in Chinchilla. They both are currently in the local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. “I’ve got to say, from what I have seen, they didn’t stand a chance,” Commissioner Carroll added. “The fact that two got out alive is a miracle.” When asked what she saw at the scene, Carroll said the officers had been shot at in an open area. “Look, I won’t go into too much of that, other than to say that when you are in that scene, walking towards the house and where this apparently took place, they were in an exposed area,” she said. “I would go back to say that I cannot believe that two officers got out alive,” she said.

On Tuesday morning Queensland’s premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announced some city buildings, including Brisbane’s Story Bridge, would be lit up in blue and white to pay tribute to the dead officers. The president of the Queensland Police Union, Ian Leavers, said a fundraiser had been set up for their families. “They were both amazing people who were well respected by their colleagues and those who were close to them,” Leavers said. I spoke with Matthew’s father last night. It’s hard to know what to say. He was devastated. Our thoughts go out to Matthew’s parents and Rachel’s family as well.”

A candlelight vigil has also been organized for both constables at the Calamvale police station in Brisbane's south from 6 pm tonight. Describing her pain, Constable Arnold's mum Sue said he was about to return home for Christmas. "Matt Arnold was our beautiful boy who was due home tomorrow on break to stay with us until Christmas," she said. "Words cannot express our devastation."