Episode 99 – In Remembrance of Brett Forte – Part Two: Cath Nielsen on the Days After the Ambush

In Part Two of our In Remembrance of Brett Forte series, Cath Nielsen takes us through the immediate aftermath of the ambush — the shock, the confusion, and the heavy days that followed Brett’s death. Cath shares what it was like going home in the early hours still covered in Brett’s blood, breaking the news to her family, and feeling the weight of a community grieving beside her. She talks about the Tactical Crime Squad office becoming a safe place, the moment Brett’s mates broke down, and meeting the Fort family for the first time in the middle of heartbreak. We also explore the emotional toll of Brett’s funeral, a later pursuit that triggered her trauma, and the unspoken impact on partners, families, and frontline officers. Cath reflects on CERT’s bravery, the support of the Blue Family, and why every cop must take ownership of their mental health. This episode is about the humans behind the headlines — and the reality of surviving what no one prepares you for.