Community & Business
7 October, 2026
Officer’s memory lives on
POLICE officer Casey Blain was tragically taken more than a decade ago but his memory lives on as Police Remembrance Day was commemorated last week.
By KYLIE REGHENZANI
Constable Blain, 29, was killed in a single-vehicle crash when his police car veered off Routh Creek Bridge near Georgetown on the Easter long weekend in 2013.
His dedication and commitment to policing was recently marked with a Blue Heart Medal, awarded to Const Blain by Queensland Police Service and presented to his family.
Parents Ray and Lynette Blain recently presented the framed medal to Mareeba Station Officer In Charge Senior Sergeant Derek Garner.
The Blue Heart Medal was established in 2023 to honour the bravery and dedication to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, either injured or killed.
Snr Sgt Garner said Const Blain was a dedicated officer and his death had left a massive void within the station and wider community.
“Casey is permanently here at the station,” Snr Sgt Garner said.
“He loved policing and that’s how we will continue to remember him.”
Mr Blain said he was honoured to present the medal to the station.
“This was Casey’s station,” Mr Blain said.
“His work colleagues were his friends.
“We are so proud of him and I just couldn’t imagine what Casey would be thinking.”
Former Inspector of the station, Rolf Straatemeier, said Const Blain was a valued officer of the QPS.
“He was proud to walk the beat and it did make a difference,” he said.
“All of a sudden he was here one day and the next we lost one of our most popular officers.”
Childhood friend of Casey’s, Joe Cristaldi, said Casey was known as “Chill”.
“To this day, the thing I take away the most is that when someone is unwell you get to say goodbye to them,” Mr Cristaldi said.
“We didn’t get to say goodbye to Chill.
“He wanted to make the community a better place and he did in his short time.”
