Wieambilla massacre: Parents face another Christmas without their heroes

On the second anniversary of the Wieambilla massacre, the grieving families of hero cops Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold have released never-before-seen photos and are calling on a major change.

Murdered police constable Rachel McCrow

• Editor’s view: Queensland mourns

The grieving families of two young police officers murdered in Wieambilla two years ago are calling for drones to be placed in police cars – a proposal Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said will be seriously considered.

The families of constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold have gathered at their gravesites to mark the second anniversary of their deaths and privately mourn their loss.

And the families have released never-seen-before photographs as they await the findings of a lengthy inquest that examined what can be done to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated.

The families said there would be an empty chair at their Christmas table, an empty place in photos and a “forever hole” in their hearts.

Murdered police constable Matthew Arnold

Rachel and Matthew were murdered after they arrived at the home of conspiracy theorists Gareth and Stacey Train on the Western Downs, prompted by an interstate request to track down Gareth’s brother Nathaniel.

Instead, the trio, who hated police, gunned down the two young officers, as well as their neighbour, Alan Dare, who came to investigate.

The Trains were later killed by officers from the Special Emergency Response Team.

The inquest, before state coroner Terry Ryan, heard of communication black spots in regional areas and issues with interstate information sharing between police, amid calls for more funding for mental health, officer training and access to aerial drones.

Rachel and Matthew’s families have called for aerial drones to be made available to police to scope potentially dangerous situations before entering properties.

Matthew Arnold (second from left) at his final Christmas lunch

Murdered police constable Matthew Arnold

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski told The Courier-Mail: “We certainly will take anything that they’ve put up seriously and consider it.”

Rachel’s family said they would mark the second anniversary of her murder with flowers, candles and tears.

“Lots of tears,” the family said in a statement provided to The Courier-Mail.

“They say the grief and suffering caused by a child’s murder are incomparable to any other type of loss. Unfortunately, they’re right.

“Rachel’s unexpected, violent and PREVENTABLE death has left us with deep emotional wounds. There will never come a day, hour, minute or second we will stop thinking about Rachel.

“It’s a pain we’ll suffer for a lifetime, and unfortunately only those who have walked the same path can understand the depth and breadth of our heartache.”

Police constable Rachel McCrow (left)

Rachel’s family said they were haunted by Rachel and Matthew being ambushed by “three evil terrorists”.

Her family said she and Matthew had covered their boss’ office in Christmas decorations a day before they were gunned down and never got to see his reaction.

“They’d put up Christmas decorations and covered his computer, keyboard and mouse with Christmas paper,” Rachel’s family said.

They said Rachel loved the Christmas holiday period but now, like many annual events, it was just another empty day.

“The empty chair, empty room, empty space in our family pictures,” Rachel’s family said. “There will always be a void in our lives: A forever hole-in-our-heart.”

The families have been told the delivery of Mr Ryan’s findings has been delayed because some parties need more time to lodge submissions.

Rachel’s family said while there would never be a fix or solution to their heartbreak, they urged the coroner, politicians and police service to prioritise four things.

“These are Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones in all vehicles; satellite communications; a national weapons database (including ammunition), and better training,” they said.

“How many other police must put their lives in danger because of failures to provide a safe workplace?”

The family said they would never stop speaking on Rachel’s behalf if it prevented even one parent from sharing their grief.

Police constable Rachel McCrow

“Rachel’s life was brutally cut short, but our love for her lives on. Forever,” they said.

“Every missed birthday; milestone; a wedding that will never be; children and grandchildren who will never be born – an entire generation has been irrevocably impacted. Rachel was a beautiful, compassionate soul, who displayed incredible bravery under murderous direct gunfire and, as the so-called festive season looms, we will continue to tell her that she was the greatest gift we ever received.

“Love is a powerful force. As we sit with Rachel today … we are determined to turn our devastating loss – into a legacy. We owe it to her. and every officer and their families.”

Matthew’s family said there were no words to capture the loss of a child or a sibling. They revealed he was just one shift away from a Christmas break.

“‘Bereaved parent’ doesn’t even begin to convey the depth of the pain,” Matthew’s family said.

“Only those who have endured it can truly understand.

“December is especially hard. Not only because of the pain of this day but also because Christmas, once a time of joy, now carries an unbearable weight of absence and sorrow.

“Matt loved Christmas, even if he playfully complained about it. He was the one who climbed onto the roof to string up the Christmas lights. He’d take charge of decorating the tree, stepping in whenever he thought the family wasn’t moving quickly enough or didn’t look the way he envisioned. Every year, he insisted his mum make glazed ham – always enough for leftovers, of course. In 2022, Matt was excited to come home for Christmas. He was just one shift away from being with us, but he never made it.”

Matthew Arnold (right) with siblings James and Hayley

The young officer in 2021 surprised his mum by driving four hours to his aunt’s house, after finishing an early morning shift, only to drive straight back to Tara for his next shift after lunch.

“That family photo from that day, and the memories that go with it, are treasures we hold onto tightly,” the family said. “Today, as we do every year, we’ll visit his gravesite, shed tears, and think about everything we’ve lost and everything we continue to miss. The disbelief and heartache remain as raw as ever, not just for our family but for everyone who knew and worked with Matt and Rachel. We live with this pain every moment of every day. It never fades, it never eases.

“The inquest only reminded us of the graphic and unimaginable nature of their deaths and the systemic failings that allowed this tragedy to happen. This should never have happened. We live in the hope that no other family will ever have to endure this.”

Police constable Rachel McCrow (front right)

In honouring the officers on Thursday morning, wreaths were laid by Premier David Crisafulli, Police Minister Dan Purdie, Mr Gollschewski, Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior, Opposition leader Steven Miles, Opposition police spokesman Glenn Butcher, former police minister Mark Ryan and Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said December 12 was a sacred day for all police in the state.

“It’s truly tragic when a police officer loses their life in the line of duty,” he said.

“Especially for the family and friends that are left behind, there is a permanent scar that will never be healed.

“But the way that Matt and Rachel’s life was stolen under such savage circumstances, everyone in the community should realise that there is evil among us and our police do an incredible job every single day turning up to protect the Queensland community.”

Police constable Matthew Arnold (left) celebrates Christmas with colleagues.

Mr Gollschewski said it was a sombre day for the service.

“Two years since we lost Rachel and Matthew,” he said.

“For us it’s such a reminder of the dangers that our police can face every day and what can happen in our community.

“And we will always remember the sacrifice that Matthew and Rachel have made and others in our organisation who have lost their lives.

“It is a difficult time for us. We look forward to the future and how we can stop these sorts of things happening and what more we can do to support our officers in the field.

“At the end of the day we lost two precious members of our organisation.”

Mr Gollschewski said police were constantly looking at how to improve safety for officers and drone technology was advancing.

“So it’s certainly something we will look at very carefully,” he said.

Police constable Rachel McCrow

Premier David Crisafulli said the anniversary was a moment for the entire state to stop and pause and give thanks for “everyone who puts on a blue uniform every day”.

“The events at Wieambilla, it didn’t just rock that community, it rocked the state, it really did,” he said.

“Today is a day to reflect on the incredible sacrifice and to pause and thank the men and women of the Queensland Police Service.”

Mr Crisafulli was asked about calls for drones in police vehicles.

“I was heartened by the response of the Commissioner and his open mindedness in my mind is where the starting point should be,” he said.

“If people who have a lived experience like that are willing to put forward suggestions, we must be willing to listen and the Commissioner’s response this morning is exactly how it should be.”