Fitting farewell to true hero
Officer Brett Forte to receive full State Funeral
A SOLEMN and respectful State Funeral will farewell Senior Constable Brett Forte with full police honours this morning.
About 5000 people are expected to pay their respects to the Darling Downs Tactical Crime Squad officer who was murdered on duty last Monday.
The Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre on Baker St at the University of Southern Queensland will seat 2000 people inside, with further seating outside for members of the public who wish to attend from 11am.
A Guard of Honour will be formed by former and serving members of the Queensland Police Service and its executive leadership team, with several policing units leading the motorcade and cortege.
Cards left at the growing memorial outside the Neil St police headquarters will be collected and delivered to Snr Const. Forte’s family in coming days and weeks, it is understood.
“(Today) is going to be a very solemn occasion for the funeral of Senior Constable Brett Forte from the Darling Downs Tactical Crime Squad,” Inspector Sharee Cumming said.
“We would like the public to know that it is an open funeral so should anyone wish to attend they are quite welcome to.
“I do need to advise there are going to be a number of road closures from 7am … commencing with the closure of the intersection of West and Baker St.”
Police have asked motorists to avoid the southern end of West St near Baker St and the southern end of the USQ campus for the majority of the day.
“There is plenty of seating arranged by the University of Southern Queensland outside the venue for those people who can’t actually get inside,” Insp. Cumming said.
“We’re encouraging people if you would like a seat inside to arrive early.
“If not, there is seating outside and we will have people on hand to assist you.
“This is an opportunity for our dignitaries, the members of the Queensland Police Service current and retired, as well as the community in general … to pay their respects to the family of Snr Const. Brett Forte and the service that he paid to the community.
“We have a large contingent (of police officers) from various parts of southeast Queensland who are assisting our local police in performing normal policing duties to allow our local officers to attend the funeral and pay their respects.”
The Chronicle will endeavour to livestream the service on its website.
USQ has advised classes, scheduled campus business and operations will continue as normal today.
However, the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre will be closed for all gym and associated classes and activities, and all car parks accessed from Baker St will not be available for any USQ use.
Some areas will have restricted pedestrian access which will also impact some residential colleges.
Signs with directions have been set up since yesterday advising of the changes.
Temporary car parking arrangements have been organised for students and staff at the front entrance to the campus off West St, with the inter-campus bus pick-up and drop-off point moved to the windmill.