The Stringybark Creek murders had a deep and traumatic impact not only on the families of the slain policemen, but also on the community as a whole.

Having already suffered years of harassment from horse and cattle thieves, many people were genuinely fearful of the sudden escalation of violence. The initial search parties sent out to recover the bodies of the murdered police relied heavily on local volunteers and consequently, the shock felt when the bodies were found, rippled through the entire community.