Deadly police ambush: heartbroken families’ plea for change

The families of two officers shot dead in Queensland have called for immediate law changes around firearms and police communications on the first day of a coronial inquest into their deaths.

Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were shot in cold blood by Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train after four officers arrived at the Wieambilla property in the Western Downs Region on December 12, 2022.

Police constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.Credit: Queensland Police

Judy McCrow, the mother of Constable McCrow, spoke for her family and the family of Constable Arnold outside the Brisbane Coroners Court ahead of the inquest which gets underway on Monday.

She was joined by Constable McCrow’s sister Samantha McCrow and Constable Arnold’s father, Terry Arnold, mother Sue Arnold and sister Hayley Arnold.

“Today our thoughts extend to the wider police community, who are hurting, and we also remember Alan Dare ... we don’t want the loss of Rachel and Matthew to be in vain” Ms McCrow said.

Neighbour Alan Dare was also shot dead before the Trains were killed in a gunfight with specialist police later that night at the rural property.

Ms McCrow said both families miss their children very much and no police officer should have to die in such horrible circumstances.

“There is no escaping our devastating loss, the all-consuming grief and the tears. Our collective heart remains broken beyond repair,” she added.

Ms McCrow called for immediate changes to police policies and procedures to reduce the likelihood of the loss of life in similar circumstances.

“We pose this question to authorities: could a national firearms and ammunition register, drones and satellite-based communication strategies reduce the current risk?” she said.

Constables Rachel McCrow’s and Matthew Arnold’s families (left to right) Samantha McCrow,Terry Arnold, Judy McCrow, Sue Arnold, James Arnold and Hayley Arnold speak outside the Brisbane Coroners Court.Credit: AAPIMAGE

Progress on a national register has been slow, and it has since emerged that Queensland police were aware of the shortcomings of their gun licensing, registration and regulation systems.

State Coroner Terry Ryan is scheduled to hear an opening statement from counsel assisting on Monday morning before moving to police witnesses in the afternoon.

The court has listed 23 issues and concerns to examine at the five-week inquest, including what information NSW Police provided concerning a missing persons report on Nathaniel Train that prompted Queensland officers to attend the property.

The inquest aims to deliver findings on circumstances at two police stations at the time initial decisions were made to send four officers to the Train property.

The inquest will also investigate Nathaniel Train’s illegal entry to Queensland during the COVID-19 NSW border closure and the family’s source of firearms and ammunition.

American Donald Day Jr is accused of repeatedly sending messages about a “Christian end-of-days ideology” known as premillennialism to the Trains between May 2021 and December 2022.

Day pleaded not guilty in a US federal court in May 2024 to five charges related to making threats and illegal firearms possession.

Queensland Police unveiled a monument for Constables Arnold and McCrow in May 2024 in front of Dalby Police Station - where they started their careers - as a reminder of their sacrifice.

AAP