Wieambilla shooting: Alan Dare farewelled in funeral after shot dead by Nathaniel and Gareth Train

An innocent neighbour gunned down alongside two young cops has been farewelled at an emotional funeral where his body was followed by a convoy of vintage Ford cars.

Alan Dare, 58, was at the wrong place at the wrong time when he drove to the rural property next door in Wieambilla, about four hours west of Brisbane, on December 12.

He came to investigate after hearing gunfire and seeing fire, and was shot in the back by a family of cop killer doomsday preppers as he got out of his car.

Gareth Train, 47, his brother Nathaniel, 46, and Gareth’s wife Stacey, 45, opened fire as four officers approached their home, hitting constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26.

Alan Dare, 58, (pictured with his wife Kerry and stepson Corey Richards) was an innocent neighbour gunned down alongside two young cops, has been farewelled at an emotional funeral

Mr Dare’s family, including wife Kerry and stepson Corey Richards (pictured) wept next to his coffin on Friday after he was tragically killed during the Wieambilla shooting on December 12

Mr Dare’s daughter Renee Richards gave an emotional tribute to her father at his funeral on Friday

Alan Dare’s stepson Corey Richards is seen sobbing with a loved one at his funeral on Friday

Alan Dare’s stepson Corey Richards and wife Kerry Dare are seen emotional at his funeral service on Friday

Mr Dare’s family, his stepson Corey and wife Kerry, are seen weeping as the ‘hero’ is farewelled

Loved ones are seen comforting each other at the funeral of Alan Dare on Friday

Mr Dare’s coffin was carried out by loved ones at the service in Ipswich

A police officer is seen hugging a woman who was attending the funeral of Alan Dare on Friday in Ipswich

Mr Dare’s hearse got a police escort through the streets of Ipswich, near Brisbane, on Friday

His body was followed by a dozens-strong convoy of vintage Ford cars, as a tribute to his love for the auto brand

Firefighters lined the streets for Mr Dare’s funeral procession and presented his family with a recognition token

Constable Arnold was killed instantly and the evil shooters executed Constable McCrow as she lay wounded on the ground, while Constable Randall Kirk was shot in the leg but escaped and Constable Keely Brough hid in bushland.

Mr Dare became the third victim when he was shot in the back, having no idea what he was wandering into.

Days after the officers were laid to rest at a huge public gathering at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Mr Dare was farewelled at a private funeral in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on Friday. 

His widow, Kerry Dare, was seen distraught at the funeral and said ‘there was nothing bad about Al’. 

‘He was a real man, he never complained about taking the rubbish out – I got everything out of Al that I needed out of Al,’ she told the Courier Mail.

‘You don’t brag about that sort of stuff, you just enjoy it for as long as you can.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Alan ‘did the great Australian thing and went to help’ and for those actions, and has been posthumously awarded the Queensland Police Bravery Medal.

He’s a new hero for many Australians, but the loved ones bidding farewell to him at his funeral knew their ‘Poppy’ has always been a man for others.

‘He was always our hero, but now he’s everyone’s hero,’ his daughter Renee Richards told Sunrise.

‘So it’s good that everyone knows his face, but it’s super sad.’

Police motorbikes flanked the hearse and a squad car cleared the road in front, with the vintage cars behind

An old Ford with blue racing stripes follows Mr Dare’s hearse as the procession winds its way through the streets

Mr Dare’s family are seen distraught at his funeral on Friday

Queensland Police officers line the streets of Mr Dare’s procession on Friday to pay their respects

A long procession of vintage Ford cars surrounded Mr Dare’s hearse in tribute to his love for the iconic motor company

Mr Dare was a dearly loved husband and father, treasured poppy, loved son and son-in-law and loving brother, his funeral notice says. 

Dozens of vintage cars formed a procession for the memorial, while mourners lined the streets in his honour.

Queensland Police also joined the procession with its cars scattered in the line while officers on motorbikes circled Mr Dare’s hearse. 

A GoFundMe organised for Mrs Dare, has already raised more than $94,000 of its $25,000 goal.

‘I am hoping that we can raise as much money as possible to help Kerry through this hard and painful time,’ Brett Hovey, the fundraiser’s organiser wrote.

‘Al would have helped anyone.’

‘Rest in peace Alan. You showed true Aussie spirit in helping those police in need. We will be forever grateful,’ a donor wrote.

‘RIP Alan. What a true hero, thank you for your selfless act in going to help. I’m so sorry that you and your family have paid the ultimate price,’ another wrote.

Officers stood next to the hearse holding Mr Dare’s coffin after he was tragically shot alongside two young officers in Wieambilla

Distraught mourners wept and embraced as they arrived at the funeral service in Ipswich, near Brisbane, on Friday

Mourners with Ford clothing and paraphernalia in tribute to Mr Dare embrace as they arrive at the funeral

Mr Dare’s wife Kerry wore a vintage Ford vest, Mr Dare’s favourite car brand, as a tribute to him

Mourners gather at the funeral waiting for the service to start, sharing memories of Mr Dare

Funeral card for Alan Dare who was killed in the December 12 Wieambilla shooting

Mr Dare’s stepson Corey Richards shared a smiling photo of himself, his mum Kerry and Mr Dare wearing his beloved Ford singlet. 

‘If anyone can please help me find a Ford singlet/T-shirt but something original not Chinese, kinda like the one my hero is wearing in the picture, I’d be forever in your debt,’ he wrote.

‘We just want to send him off in something that feels right it’s hard to explain but I know everyone that knew Alan Dare already knows exactly what I mean.’ 

Mr Dare was never afraid to help others with Mr Richards unsurprised his stepdad fearlessly ran towards the smoke and gunfire coming from the Train house. 

‘He went to help the neighbours cause he thought there was a fire and heard bangs like maybe the house was on fire,’ Mr Richards told 7News.

‘He’s gone down to investigate and must’ve realised something was up because the smoke wasn’t coming from the house.

‘Last time there was a fire he got his own car stuck and almost burnt out trying to save two of his neighbours.’

‘He’d help anyone and everyone… [and] never asked for anything in return.’ 

Mr Dare’s family at his funeral in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on Friday following his sudden death on December 12

Mr Dare’s coffin (above) was adorned with flowers and the flag of his beloved motor brand, Ford

A mourner leans against Mr Dare’s coffin during his private funeral on Friday

Queensland Police officers joined the long procession for Mr Dare’s funeral on Friday

Mr Dare’s family sit next to his coffin during his Ipswich funeral on Friday

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leaver said ‘[Mr Dare] was doing what was right to investigate and help someone’ in a press conference after the shooting. 

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll will present Alan’s bravery medal for his ‘actions on the fateful day and public acknowledgement of his sacrifice’ to his family at a special event on January 18.

‘We don’t need a medal to know that he was a hero, but it’s good that he’s kind of getting one, and it’s good that he’s getting one,’ Ms Richards said.

Police investigating the shootings have revealed the constables were planning to arrest Nathaniel Train when they went to the Wieambilla property but there were no indications they could be in danger.

A warrant had been issued for Nathaniel after he got bogged trying to cross the Queensland border on December 17, 2021 and allegedly damaged a gate and left two registered firearms behind.

Police had called the Trains and visited the Wieambilla property multiple times looking for the former school principal, but no one ever picked up the phone or answered the door.

Mr Dare’s wife, Kerry, hugged mourners and wore a Ford vest in tribute of her husband’s favourite automotive brand

Mourners look on during the funeral for Alan Dare, who was recognised for his bravery during the Wieambilla shooting

A mourner made a decorative sign to pay tribute to Mr Dare, adorned in Ford merchandise

Mr Dare’s loved ones carried his coffin – which was covered in a Ford flag – back to the hearse