The Cloncurry-based officer rescued an eight-year-old boy after he was dragged away in a stormwater drain underneath a road during the floods in February.

With most of an officer’s social life when based in Cloncurry revolving around the station, Constable Virtue had only planned to briefly go into the workplace to see his mates – but when an emergency call came through he suddenly found himself waist deep in the rescue effort.

And yesterday in a ceremony at the Mount Isa Police Station attended by Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Queensland Police Minister Neil Roberts and Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Clem O’Regan, the modest Constable’s quick-thinking actions were recognised with the Commissioner’s Commendation Bravery award.

“It really was just a team effort – I really want everyone to know it - I was just the one that went down into the drain, that’s all. Everyone was involved in trying to get the boy,” Constable Virtue said.

The award ceremony also awarded 13 other police officers for their long-term service in the police force and their appointment to new positions in the district.