Inquest to scrutinise police response to ‘cheerful, bubbly’ colleague’s death

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Police briefly lost track of Maddison before airborne Polair officers found him holed up in his cabin. During a 20-hour siege, police urged him to surrender 85 times.

Maddison fired at police and Polair more than 20 times, eventually trying to escape while still firing. Specialist police returned fire, killing him.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said Toowoomba officers who worked with Senior Constable Forte were still coming to terms with losing the “cheerful and bubbly” father.

“Brett was a good, likeable guy, who adored his job and loved his family,” Mr Leavers said.

“They are still coming to terms with Brett not being there – not having that cheerful, bubbly fellow in the office.

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“The outpouring of…