MOUNT Isa police officers were quick to show solidarity on social media for a fallen QPS comrade who was killed by a gunman.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Senior Constable Brett Forte was killed in the Lockyer Valley on Monday. Media outlets identified his courage and heroism by protecting a colleague during what was labelled an ambush.
Local officers responded by posting temporary profile pictures of the police emblem which said ‘with honour he served.’ The QPS Union also encouraged donations from the public by creating a remembrance fund to support Senior Constable Forte’s family.
Mount Isa Police Station’s officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Renee Hanrahan said there were locally based officers that had known and worked with Senior Constable Forte. “That has a huge impact on them both personally and professionally,” she said.
“If something happens to one of us it’s felt by all of us.”
Senior Constable Forte’s death had also reminded officers and their families of the dangers that they risked when putting on their uniforms to help protect their community.
“We all can have that sobering reminder that that could have been a situation any of us could find ourselves in,” Senior Sergeant Hanrahan said.
“It highlights the inherent dangers of policing and it’s not something police give a lot of thought to.
“Our focus when police are putting on their uniform on is going out to help the community. While that’s (danger) not at the forefront of our minds something like this drives it home not only to us but our partners and families.”
She said that Mount Isa members of the community had donated towards the remembrance fund. She thanked them for their support but also encourage further donations. The Mount Isa Police Station also sold police remembrance day badges which raised funds for Police Legacy. This financially helped the children of officers who had died.
Senior Sergeant Hanrahan also encouraged the community to thank a police officer for their contributions, to show support.
“Every police officer is someone’s mum, dad, son, daughter, brother and sister and they all have homes to go to.”
The bank details for Senior Constable Forte’s remembrance fund is:
QBank: Account number: 100 179 875. BSB: 704 052.
Westpac: Account number: 263281. BSB: 034 838.
