Farewell fit for a cop killer: As 5,000 grieving friends and family attend moving service for slain policeman Brett Forte - his cowardly murderer will NOT have a funeral
- Up to 5,000 mourners bid farewell to slain policeman Brett Forte on Wednesday
- But there will be no funeral for the senior constable's killer, Rick Maddison
- A close friend of Maddison's said a service will not be held for the cop killer
- 'They aren't having one for Rick, I was informed today,' the friend said
Up to 5,000 mourners bid farewell to slain policeman Brett Forte in an emotional service on Wednesday, but there will be no funeral for the senior constable's killer.
The 41-year-old father was murdered in the line of duty by career criminal Rick Maddison during a wild police chase west of Brisbane on May 29.
Maddison was later shot in the chest by police and died following a near 24-hour siege.
His close friend has revealed a funeral will not be held for the cop killer, who was the 'black sheep' among his Toowoomba-based family.
Up to 5,000 mourners bid farewell to slain policeman Brett Forte in an emotional service on Wednesday, but there will be no funeral for the senior constable's killer
The heartbroken wife the slain policeman Susan and son Brodie are seen touching the casket
Thousands of mourners bid farewell to slain policeman Brett Forte at his funeral service after he was shot dead in a roadside ambush
The 41-year-old father and husband was shot dead in the line of duty by career criminal Rick Maddison (pictured) on May 29. The killer's family will not be holding a funeral
'They aren't having one for Rick, I was informed today. It's very sad we couldn't say goodbye,' the friend told Daily Mail Australia.
The friend said he wasn't given details as to why the family won't be holding a service.
'I don't know the reason, his mother asked me to respect the family's wishes so that's what I'll be doing,' he said.
The friend said he watched Snr Const Forte's funeral on television on Wednesday morning, describing it as a 'very sad day.'
Senior Constable Brett Forte's family, wife Susan hugging son Brodie, and parents Heather and Stuart watch as his casket is being put in a hearse after his funeral
Officers are seen carrying Snr Const Forte's casket from the service after he was shot dead last week
Police officers and the public form a guard of honour as the casket of Senior Constable Brett Forte passes by
There was a sea of dark blue outside the service as scores of police watched the proceedings on a large screen
Thousands watched the service on a large screen outside the auditorium on Wednesday
Thousands of Snr Const Forte's friends, colleagues and family farewelled the popular officer at Toowoomba's Clive Berghofer Recreational Centre on Wednesday.
Scores of police and emergency service workers attended the service, with the local community centre full to capacity and thousands more outside watching on a big screen.
High-profile politicians including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton were among the mourners.
Representatives of police agencies from across the globe, including New York and New Zealand, also attended.
Susan Forte thanked the Queensland community and her 'police family' for their support and said her husband would have 'loved all the attention'
Senior Constable Brett Forte's emotional wife Susan is pictured standing next to her daughter Emma during the service
A string of high-profile politicians including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (pictured) were among the mourners
Police and guests grieve outside the Clive Berghofer Recreational Centre during the funeral
Chaplain Rev. Jeff Baills welcomed guests before emotional tributes from the slain policeman's wife and stepdaughter.
'He was a fantastic husband to me and father of our children,' Snr Const Forte's wife Susan said as she fought back tears.
'You were my hero and my soulmate and I will love you forever.'
Snr Const Forte's stepdaughter, Emma, also paid an emotional tribute, describing him as her 'guardian angel'.
'To the world you were one person, but to our family you were the world,' she said.
The father and husband was honoured during the service with a Queensland Police Valour Award for his bravery in the line of duty.
The emotional farewell of the hero policeman finished with a Guard of Honour and a motorcade escorted by police motorcycles
The father and husband was honoured during the service with a Queensland Police Valour Award for his bravery in the line of duty
Uniformed police officers are seen gathering in Toowoomba ahead of Wednesday's service as they prepared to farewell their colleague
Senior Constable Brett Forte's children (second right to left) Sam, Emma and Brodie place a teddy bear and other items on his casket during his funeral service
After murdering Snr Const Forte, Maddison went on the run, firing shots at a police helicopter before retreating to a nearby property deep in Queensland's Lockyer Valley.
Four streets were placed in lockdown and specialist units moved in, as terrified residents listened to the echo of gunshots through the night.
Maddison was shot dead, bringing an end to a terrifying a 21-hour siege.
Local Peter Hills, whose daughter, five, and wife were both behind the police line, said he felt 'utter relief' knowing the gun-crazy man had been killed.
Snr Const Forte's grieving wife Susan is seen leaving the emotional service on Wednesday
A fellow officer is seen wiping a tear from her eye during the emotional service
Chaplain Rev. Jeff Baills welcomed guests before emotional tributes from the slain policeman's wife and stepdaughter
After murdering Snr Const Forte, Maddison went on the run, firing shots at a police helicopter
A police officer is seen comforting one of his colleagues during the emotional service in Toowoomba on Wednesday
'Justice is done. I'm happy about it. I will not lose any sleep at all over it tonight, I'll sleep really good,' he told Daily Mail Australia following Maddison's death.
The killer had a violent criminal history which included charges of torture and deprivation of liberty as well as convictions for assault.
He had been accused of torturing and holding a woman against her will in September 2008, and was also wanted by police in relation to multiple domestic violence and weapons offences.
Almost a decade ago he he had been charged with torture, deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, causing willful damage, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and common assault.
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