July 29th 2024.
On a tragic day in Queensland, the families of two fallen officers, Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, gathered outside the Brisbane Coroners Court to call for immediate changes to firearm laws and police communication protocols. It was the first day of the coronial inquest into their deaths, and the families were determined to make sure their loved ones' sacrifice would not be in vain.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on December 12, 2022, when four officers responded to a call at a property in the Western Downs Region. Little did they know, they were walking into a cold-blooded shooting by Nathaniel, Gareth, and Stacey Train. Judy McCrow, Rachel's mother, spoke on behalf of both families, joined by Rachel's sister, Samantha, and Matthew's father, Terry, mother Sue, and sister Hayley.
As they stood outside the courthouse, Judy expressed her thoughts and condolences for the wider police community, who were also mourning the loss of their fellow officers. She also remembered their neighbor, Alan Dare, who was also shot and killed before the Trains were taken down in a gunfight with specialist police. The families shared that their hearts were forever broken, and the loss of their children was indescribable.
Judy pleaded for immediate changes to police policies and procedures to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. She questioned whether a national firearms and ammunition register, along with advanced communication strategies like drones and satellite-based systems, could have reduced the risk in this situation.
The inquest, headed by State Coroner Terry Ryan, will examine 23 issues and concerns during the five-week period. This includes investigating what information NSW Police provided regarding a missing persons report on Nathaniel Train, which prompted Queensland officers to respond to the property. The inquest will also delve into how Nathaniel illegally entered Queensland during the COVID-19 border closure and how the Train family obtained their firearms and ammunition.
It was revealed that American Donald Day Jr had been sending messages to the Trains about a "Christian end-of-days ideology" known as premillennialism for over a year. He is currently facing charges related to making threats and illegal firearms possession in a US federal court. In May 2024, Queensland Police unveiled a monument in front of Dalby Police Station to honor Matthew and Rachel's sacrifice and remind everyone of the dangers police officers face every day.
As the inquest continues, the families of Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow hope that their voices will be heard, and necessary changes will be made to prevent any more tragic losses in the future. They want the legacy of their loved ones to be remembered and honored, and their sacrifice to never be forgotten.
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