Cop killer Rick Maddison's family has expressed condolences to the loved ones of the officer he shot dead, while insisting he was more than just a "career criminal".
Specialist police shot Maddison, 40, dead on Tuesday after he charged at them from his stronghold west of Brisbane while firing a powerful weapon.
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Rick Maddison had a long criminal history and wanted to be a bikie but instead became a recluse in possession of an illegal fully automatic weapon. Nine News
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Cop killer's life of crime
Rick Maddison had a long criminal history and wanted to be a bikie but instead became a recluse in possession of an illegal fully automatic weapon. Nine News
It brought to an end a 20-hour siege sparked when the repeat offender killed Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad Senior Constable Brett Forte on Tuesday afternoon. Senior Constable Forte was fatally wounded in a rural Lockyer Valley street where police believed he may have been deliberately lured.
The Maddison family released a statement to the media on Thursday morning, expressing "heartfelt condolences" to the slain officer's family and friends and support for the police.
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"Rick's actions cannot be excused nor is it likely they will be ever fully understood," the statement read.
"To us he is not the one dimensional career criminal which the media are now portraying but rather a loved son, brother nephew, uncle, grandson, friend and mate to many and as such he will be sadly mourned.
"The Maddison family thank the many people who have expressed to them their overwhelming support, sympathy, love and prayers."
The family also specifically thanked the police negotiators, who spent almost a full day trying to convince their son to surrender peacefully, even as he shot at them and the police helicopter overhead.