A community is in mourning after the frantic search for a much-loved police officer missing for over a week came to a tragic end.
The body of senior constable Scott Duff, 50, was discovered after a week-long search was mounted in the Carins suburb of Edmonton, Far North Queensland.
Constable Duff was last seen on Slipper Street on April 8 with authorities saying they were not treating his disappearance as suspicious.
A police community Facebook group Survive The Streets Down Under paid tribute to the officer in a post on Monday evening.
‘We are saddened to share that QLDPOL have lost an officer to the black dog,’ it read.
‘Following a lengthy land search, involving many police and volunteers from other agencies, the body of the officer was located.
‘We pass our sincere condolences on to the Officers family, friends and colleagues.’
The extensive search efforts in surrounding bush drew in multiple police units including the Tactical Crime Squad as well as State Emergency Services volunteers. Drones and the Rescue 510 helicopter were aslo employed.
After a week-long search the body of 50-year-old police officer Scott Duff, 50, has been found
Officers from Townsville and the south east also bolstered the effort.
Locals rallied to support the search effort by donating snacks and drinks to the teams.
Police thanked the public, media and SES members who supported the search effort.
Superintendent Monique Ralph last week said that Constable Duff’s disappearance had been ‘very out of character’.
‘Scott is a much loved and valued member of the Queensland Police Service as well as the community,’ she said.
Constable Duff was last seen on Slipper Street in the Cairns suburb of Edmonton on April 8
‘He’s a very well respected officer in that southern corridor having worked at Edmonton, Gordonvale and down in that area for roughly the last 20 years.
‘His disappearance is also having an effect on our local police and our community, and we’ve been extremely overwhelmed with the support that the community has provided us.’
Police are preparing a report for the coroner but are yet to formally identify the body.
For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 or Beyond blue 1300 22 4636
