Queensland police have cornered a man who allegedly shot and killed an officer in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane.

Key points: QPS Senior Constable Brett Forte killed in shooting after attempting to intercept a car at Seventeen Mile

QPS Senior Constable Brett Forte killed in shooting after attempting to intercept a car at Seventeen Mile Police Commissioner, Queensland Premier pays their respects

Police Commissioner, Queensland Premier pays their respects Local residents report hearing machine-gun fire as police block off road access

Police say Senior Constable Brett Forte was killed after a "person of interest" got out of his vehicle at Seventeen Mile and "opened fire" on a number of police cars.

The "person of interest" — who has been identified as 40-year-old Rick Maddison — had earlier been spotted driving down the range from Toowoomba, about 30 kilometres away.

"Police followed him into an area, the person of interest alighted from his vehicle away from where the police officers were and opened fire on the police vehicles," south Queensland's assistant police commissioner Tony Wright said.

"Unfortunately at this time Brett Forte lost his life."

The suspect fled on foot into nearby bushland.

At midnight on Monday officers had the man "contained" at a property in Gatton and were negotiating with him.

"Obviously we want to try and resolve this situation as peacefully as humanly possible and we will take all steps to do that," Mr Wright said.

Nearby streets remain in lockdown and residents were being urged to stay inside.

Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart said Senior Constable Forte's death was a sad day for the service.

Brett Forte died on Monday afternoon. ( Facebook: Brett Forte )

"We've lost a fine officer, and our condolences, and thoughts and love are with his wife and children, his family and his colleagues," he said.

He said the incident again showed how "complex and dangerous the job of policing is in this state and our nation".

"We thank Brett for his wonderful service to the community," he said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her thoughts and prayers were with the officer's family and friends.

"Every day, the brave officers of the Queensland Police Service put their lives on the line when they go to work," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Each of us should be immensely grateful for the work they do."

Senior Constable Forte was working with Toowoomba's Tactical Crime Squad at the time of his death. He had served with QPS for more than 15 years.

'We could hear machine-gun fire'

Police set up a number of roadblocks in the area. ( ABC News )

Fords Road resident Mal Beard said he was working on his property when he heard gunshots from a vacant, neighbouring property.

"I heard shooting, semi-automatic fire coming from that area, several bursts," he said.

"Then the police cars started arriving. Initially they pulled up in front of my place and got weapons out of the back of the car, and they were looking into the paddock across the road — where I heard the firing from — and then they moved up the road about 400 metres."

He said police had blocked off roads and were searching cars, while armoured vehicles had been called in and a police helicopter had been flying above for several hours.

Mr Beard said he sometimes heard recreational shooting in the area, but the shots he heard on Monday afternoon were very different.

Police block off a road, tell local residents to stay inside. ( Supplied: Dan Santillan )

"You can tell the difference between shotguns and shooting at clay, and a semi-automatic," he said.

Another local resident, Dan Santillan, said he had been hearing "machine-gun fire" from about 500m away ever since 2:45pm.

"We had a police car come by and they recommended we go inside, lock the house and stay away from windows and the road," Mr Santillan said.

"My partner and my daughter have left and gone to a friend's house on the other side of town to be away from it.

"Once we started hearing machine-gun fire I rounded them up and told them to leave."

Paramedics treated Senior Constable Forte near the Gatton Showgrounds. ( ABC News )

'Family man' remembered

Flowers have been placed outside the entrance to Toowoomba police station. ( ABC News: Isobel Roe )

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said he personally knew Mr Forte, having worked with him when he first joined the QPS.

"He was a decent person, a family man who was respected by all of his colleagues," Mr Leavers said.

He said Mr Forte's family and work colleagues were being supported.

"His partner, who was working with him, she's in good spirits, as good as she can be at this point in time."

Tributes have also been paid on social media.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends n colleagues of Senior Constable Brett Forte," Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan wrote.

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