The harmless neighbor gunned down within the home terrorism assault in Queensland late final 12 months will probably be honored with a posthumous police bravery award.
Neighbor Alan Dare died alongside Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow when all three have been lured to the Wieambilla property of Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Practice on December 12.
Mr Dare was shot after he went to test on the commotion, after the Trains had engaged in a fiery gunfight with specialist police on the distant property, greater than 300 kilometers west of Brisbane.
The Trains additionally died.
In February, Queensland police declared the horrifying triple homicide to be Australia’s first home terror assault motivated by “Christian extremist ideology”.
On Saturday, Mr Dare will be honored in a ceremony at Chinchilla Botanic Gardens, where his family will be presented with his posthumous bravery medal.
“This reflects the high regard for Mr Dare’s actions on that fateful day and public acknowledgment of his sacrifice,” Queensland Police said in a statement on Friday.
“The Queensland Police Bravery Medal acknowledges the outstanding efforts of officers who demonstrate exemplary commitment and dedication to their duties and who go above and beyond to protect and serve the community of Queensland.
“The medal can also be awarded to civilians who were involved in an incident and performed a similar brave act to a member of the QPS. This is the highest level Queensland Police Service Medal a civilian may receive.”
Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond will be in Chinchilla to present the medal.
Friday’s development comes after Mr Dare and the two young constables were remembered in tearful tributes in the Queensland parliament two weeks ago.
Warrego MP Ann Leahy said the tragedy had etched a quiet rural area in history.
“It touched the soul of the nation,” she said during a condolence motion.
The Liberal National Party MP fought back tears speaking about the victims’ families, choking up as she mentioned Constable Arnold’s triplet brother and sister.
“To lose a sibling is tragic, to lose a triplet is indescribable,” Ms Leahy said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said what happened to constables McCrow and Arnold was an “outrage” and “a deliberate act of hate-filled malice”.
She said Queenslanders owed it to the officers to never forget the circumstances of their loss and to stop the division, misinformation and bile “tearing our society apart”.
“But let’s also remember the way Rachel and Matthew lived,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“True leaders of their communities, a credit to their families, their state, and to their brothers and sisters in blue. With great honor, they served.”
Opposition police spokesperson Dale Last said the barbarity of that day could never be understated, but he said the bravery, comradeship and community concern on display should be remembered.
