Partner is a hero cop

THE hero partner of slain cop Senior Constable Brett Forte has been revealed as an award-winning officer with a reputation for dismantling organised crime.

Senior Constable Cath Nielsen (pictured) used her bare hands to tear a hole in the windscreen of her upturned car so she and others could drag wounded Const Forte away from gunman Rick Maddison.

The pair were in one of three police cars that followed known criminal Maddison down Wallers Rd in a “low speed chase” on Monday.

Under a rain of bullets, their vehicles rolled on the rough terrain, trapping Constables Forte and Nielsen inside.

Const Nielsen, still trapped, was forced to use her baton to smash a hole in the windscreen, before using her hands to rip a hole big enough to get Const Forte through.

He was transported to nearby Forestry Rd where resuscitation was attempted but he died soon after.

As the outpouring of support continues ahead of what is expected to be one of Toowoomba’s biggest funeral processions next Wednesday, further details about Const Nielsen’s reputation can be revealed.

She joined the force in 1999 and has gone on to receive multiple honours.

Const Neilsen has played a key role investigating and dismantling a number of illegal drug networks across the Darling Downs, including dismantling buried drug bunkers in the Lockyer Valley. .

In July, she was instrumental in Operation Oscar Glyph that saw 83 people arrested. The raids were the culmination of hundreds of hours spent verifying crucial tips received from Crime Stoppers.

Following her performance, Const Neilsen was highly commended in the Queensland Women in Policing Awards for Most Outstanding Female investigator in March.