Boorowa's residents have been rocked with the murder of one of their own, and terrified by the thought that the killer may be living among them.

Visiting Boorowa is like stepping back in time. Nestled in the Lachlan Valley, in the south west slopes of New South Wales, the merino town with a population of just 1000 is renowned for peace and tranquility.

Until now 'crime' wasn't just a dirty word - it was nonexistent.

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Here people don't lock their doors, keys sit jangling in car ignitions, and police cells sit empty.

To get an idea of just how safe this town has been, all one needs to do is have a look at the crime stats from last year: Assault in the area? None. Break and enters on properties? Zero. Malicious damage or even graffiti? Nonexistent. Alcohol-related crimes? None.

But this town has gone from no crime, to the worst possible crime - murder, and now the close community is being ripped apart.

Deb Barclay was born and bred in Boorowa. The single mother moved back with her daughter for the safety of the tiny community, but now the real world has crashed this pocket of innocence.

"It's just shattered a lot of people in town. I think there's total disbelief that something like this could actually happen in our little community," Barclay said.

"I just don't feel safe anymore in my community. You know I have never ever locked my door, and I'm locking my door at night now."

More stories from reporter David Richardson

Local identity Barry Lowe became Boorowa's first murder victim in 62 years. He was found bludgeoned to death in his neat home in the town's main street.

He lived directly over the road from the local police station, barely ten minutes from his front door.

If you have any information on Barry Lowe's murder, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

This reporter is on Twitter at @RichoTT7