Local police officers have paid respect to fallen comrades from across the country by planting memorial trees at Newell revegetation project Daintree Life.

Facilitated by Daintree Life’s Connie and Dave Pinson, who are working on a project to plant 42,000 trees and already have planted 10,000, the tree planting for fallen police was held in mid October. 

“This project is being done with the guarantee that all the trees have complete protection,’’ Connie said.

“They will never be cut down. It is protected under State Law.’’

A total of 71 trees were planted to honour fallen police officers, a neighbour at Wieambilla and a police dog. Ten trees for each of the people and one tree for a police dog who went missing in the line of duty.

Officer in Charge of Mossman Police, Sgt Matt Smith coordinated local officers from Mossman and Port Douglas to attend and be a part of the tree planting to honour the following officers:

Constable Matthew Arnold, and Constable Rachel McCrow (from Wieambilla), Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart (from Porepunkah), Constable Keith Smith (from Tasmania) and Senior Constable Bria Joyce (from Victoria), and Alan Dare, Neighbour, Father and Grandfather who also lost his life at Wieambilla. And Police Dog, PD Quizz.

“It was so nice to have eight local officers from both Mossman and Port Douglas stations join us to plant and honour fallen comrades,’’ Connie said.

“Thank you all so much for all you people that donated to make this happen.’’