Liberal leader and ex-cop Peter Dutton delivers heartfelt tribute to slain Queensland officers

Opposition leader and former police officer Peter Dutton broke down in Parliament as he paid an emotional tribute to Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and citizen Alan Dare.

Mr Arnold, 26, Ms McCrow, 29 and Mr Dare were shot dead by former school principal Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and his wife Stacey.

The two officers were on a search operation on the Train’s rural property in Wieambilla, three hours west of Brisbane, on Monday when they were killed.

“Our nation has clearly lost three wonderful Australians,” Dutton said, pausing repeatedly to recover during an emotional condolences motion in parliament on Thursday.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton paid a moving tribute to Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow in Parliament.

‘Three people who embodied compassion, commitment… and courage during their lives and in those final moments. Certainly those qualities we will remember.’

“By chance I came back from Toowoomba earlier this week…we got to the road to go back from Toowoomba to Brisbane and the convoy was there and they were carrying the bodies of the officers and the road was blocked as they moved towards Brisbane for the John Tonge Center (mortuary).’

“It was a…reminder of the good and courage they showed,” the Liberal leader added.

Dutton said the callous nature of the attack had shocked the country to its core.

“What has struck the country the most is the style of execution and the total disregard for the human beings that these officers were,” he said.

“The premeditated nature of the attack, the callous disregard for the pleas that would have… that might have echoed between the shots.”

“I want to… acknowledge the work of everyone who attended the scene: forensic officers, special emergency response team officers, those included in the many police officers who will be scarred by this experience.”

Former Queensland police officer Mr Dutton (pictured) stopped repeatedly as he fought back tears as he paid tribute to the slain officers.

Faces of the dead: Matthew Arnold, 26, was killed on arrival at the property, as was Rachel McCrow, 29

The two officers were part of a team of four sent to search for missing man Nathaniel Train, but their group was showered with bullets as they entered the property.

Neighbor Alan Dare was also shot and killed around 5:00 p.m. after visiting the property to investigate the noise.

Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and sister-in-law Stacey opened fire on the four officers sent to search the Wieambilla property on Monday.

Officers Arnold and Ms. McCrow were fatally shot at close range before the gunmen stole their weapons.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll told reporters that “those officers didn’t stand a chance.”

Officers entered the property to search for Nathaniel Train (above), but Train, along with his brother, sister and law enforcement, opened fire on them.

His colleague, Officer Randall Kirk, 28, was shot in the leg but managed to escape to his police car.

He underwent surgery and was released Wednesday to return home to his pregnant wife and young daughter.

Another officer, Keeley Brough, also 28, was forced to run and hide in the surrounding bush, which the gunmen then set on fire in an attempt to smoke her out.

She was later rescued by a specialized team of 16 officers.

The Good Samaritan’s neighbor, Alan Dare, 58, was also shot dead before the Trains were killed by tactical police in a nighttime shootout hours later.

Mr Dutton’s moving tribute was only made possible by the special recall of the federal parliament to pass the government’s energy package legislation.