Forte’s colleagues hailed as heroes
THE father of slain police officer Senior Constable Brett Forte has hailed his son’s colleagues heroes from “a real life action movie”.
Today, Sen Const. Forte, along with Senior Constable Cath Nielsen, Senior Constable Stephen Barlow, Acting Sergeant Scott Hill and Constable Brittany Poulton will be presented with Australian Bravery Award honours by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
On May 29 last year, Sen Const. Forte and Sen Const. Nielsen were pursuing a wanted gunman at Ringwood in the Lockyer Valley, when he opened fire, hitting Sen Con Forte multiple times.
Sen Const. Nielsen was able to smash her way out of their overturned police vehicle and pull Sen Const. Forte away from the gunman.
Sen Const. Barlow, Acting Sgt Hill and Const. Poulton then were able to transport Sen Const. Forte away from the scene, but he died soon after.
“It’s like watching one of these movies that is non-stop action, but these guys lived it,” Sen Const. Forte’s father Stuart said.
“It’s almost a movie, the different things that happened to each of them that day.”
Sen Const. Forte will receive a Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Senior Constables Nielsen and Barlow, and Acting Sgt Hill and Const. Poulton will receive Bravery Medals.
In a statement, Queensland Police Service said the organisation was honoured to have such heroic officers.