THOUSANDS have said goodbye to Senior Constable Brett Forte during an emotional funeral in Toowoomba.

media_camera Police and guests grieve outside the Clive Berghofer Recreational Centre during the funeral for Senior Constable Brett Forte in Toowoomba. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Tributes were made by Sen-Constable Forte’s family, including his widow and fellow officer Susan Forte, who spoke publically for the first time.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who couldn’t attend.

This was followed by speeches from Commissioner Ian Strewart and Premier Annastasica Palaszczuk.

Sen-Constable Forte was presented with policing’s highest honour - the Valour Award - for removing his colleagues out of harm’s way after he had been shot by Rick Maddison last week.

Susan Forte made a tearful tribute to her late husband, telling mourners gathered for his funeral, “You were my hero and my soul mate and I will love you forever.”

Senior Constable Susan Forte honoured her “wonderful” 41-year-old partner at the service on Wednesday morning and pledged to raise their three children with the values he sought to live by.

With thousands watching on, Sen Const Forte’s widow told attendees at the Toowoomba ceremony it gave her great comfort to know her husband was with his friends when he was fatally shot last Monday.

She also thanked her “police family” for their support in the wake of his death, as well as the outpouring of condolences from the wider Queensland community.

“Brett would have absolutely loved all the attention,” she said.

She also affectionately recalled how his “inappropriate comments” would always make her laugh and said he was a “fantastic” husband and father.

media_camera Senior Constable Brett Forte's wife Susan reads her eulogy Picture: AAP

Daughter Emma also paid tribute, describing her dad as her “guardian angel”. “To the world you were one person, but to our family you were the world,” she said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart laid wreaths as the service for the popular officer began.

media_camera Senior Constable Brett Forte's children Sam, Emma and Brodie place a teddy bear and other items on his casket. Picture: AAP

A floral bouquet of blue and white flowers has been placed on top of Sen Const Forte’s casket, to match the uniformed crowd’s attire.

There was a sea of dark blue outside the Clive Berghofer Recreational Centre as scores of police watched the proceedings on a large screen.

media_camera Senior Constable Brett Forte's wife Susan with daughter Emma. Picture: AAP

media_camera A funeral service for Senior Constable Brett Forte. Picture: Annette Dew

“We have been inundated with well wishes and messages of support from the community, which has been very touching,” Assistant Commissioner Tony Wright said before the service.

media_camera Senior Constable Brett Forte's casket. Picture: AAP

media_camera Police and family gather before the funeral for Senior Constable Brett Forte. Picture: AAP

It's a sea of blue inside the Clive Berghofer Recreational Centre as the police family gather to remember SC Forte. #ValeBrett pic.twitter.com/PIIdlW9WEr — Queensland Police (@QPSmedia) June 7, 2017

The Premier @AnnastaciaMP with AC Tony Wright have arrived to pay their respects to SC Brett Forte. #ValeBrett pic.twitter.com/cbaI8bZnDm — Queensland Police (@QPSmedia) June 7, 2017

K9 units arriving for the funeral of Senior Constable Brett Forte. @couriermail pic.twitter.com/iwP3gO3B6e — Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) June 7, 2017

A sea of men and women in blue uniforms arriving to pay tribute to Snr Con Brett Forte in Toowoomba. @7NewsQueensland @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/o8CdpNR5l4 — Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) June 7, 2017

Massive farewell underway for Senior Constable Brett Forte. Police here from all over Australia. pic.twitter.com/BxAJr1AhvH — Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou) June 7, 2017

Senior Constable Forte's coffin arrives with a police escort. @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/ERCLfjmkHh — Isobel Roe (@isobelroe) June 6, 2017

“(Today) is all about honouring Senior Constable Forte’s sacrifice and our officers have been working around the clock to ensure everything is in place to give him the dignified farewell that he deserves.”

media_camera Brett Forte's funeral is being held in Toowoomba. Picture: Annette Dew

The 41-year-old officer was shot with an automatic rifle last Monday by violent career criminal Rick Maddison on a rural road at Ringwood.

The crowd at USQ is starting to gather ahead of Brett Forte's funeral at 11am. pic.twitter.com/w8BMJoKHC6 — Chris Clarke (@chrisclarkenews) June 6, 2017

The ordeal sparked a 20-hour siege before Special Emergency Response Team officers shot Maddison dead.

Sen-Constable Forte — a member of Toowoomba’s Tactical Crime Squad — was the first officer to be murdered on the job since the shooting of Gold Coast detective Damian Leeding in 2011.

Flowers left in remembrance of Senior Constable Brett Forte Flowers left in remembrance of Senior Constable Brett Forte

The final touches were being put on the service yesterday, with many southeast Queensland officers expected to cover shifts in Toowoomba so Sen-Constable Forte’s colleagues can attend the service.

Sen-Constable Forte’s funeral is open to the public.

About 2000 people can fit inside the centre, but the funeral will also be screened outside and televised across Queensland. Additional seating has also been arranged outside the centre.

Those who wish to sit inside have been asked to arrive early.

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Those not attending the funeral have been asked to avoid the area altogether.

The corner West and Baker streets will be closed from 7am and a rolling closure along Baker St will continue throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers has called for all officers involved in last week’s siege to be honoured.

“The bravery, heroism and mateship shown by Brett Forte’s partner (Senior Constable) Cath (Nielsen) and all of police involved in both the initial shoot out with the murderer as well as those police involved subsequently in the protection of the community by eliminating the threat should be honoured and acknowledged,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“The courage under fire that these police displayed is a testament to the extent that police will go to for the safety of Queenslanders, and as well as Brett Forte’s valour too, will never be forgotten.”