The second police officer killed in a shooting ambush at Porepunkah in Victoria is being farewelled today, as the hunt for his accused killer continues.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, was killed alongside Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart on August 26 as they and eight other officers attempted to execute a search warrant at the home of Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah, Victoria.
A third police officer was wounded.
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Thompson is being laid to rest in a service attended by hundreds of mourners, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan, at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley.
His partner Lisa Thompson, a serving Victoria Police officer, and his sisters Lois Kirk and Diane Thompson are in attendance.
Lisa spoke of her unimaginable grief during an emotional eulogy.
“Words cannot convey the depth of sorrow and grief that his loss brings,” Lisa said.
“I am scared. I don’t want to live life without you, and I don’t want to finish our dreams on my own, but I will.
“I promise I will be brave. I will love you. I will cherish every moment that I spent with you.”
The pair met in 2016 at Wangaratta Police Station when they worked on a shift together.
Lisa said that shift “changed the course of our lives”.
”I had never laughed so much with someone who I had just met,” she said.
The veteran officer was just days away from retirement after a 38-year career on the force when he was killed.
“Neal was one-of-a-kind, a laid back adventurer who loved to share the outdoors with his mates,” the Police Association Victoria said in a post on Facebook.
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“He was devoted to partner Lisa, the love of his life. He loved his job and he was proud of it.
“Neal had an almost 40-year career of service and a vivid plan for life after policing.
“Sadly, that future has been taken, but his history of service and his impact on the community he served will endure.
“‘Thommo’ will leave a void at Wangaratta that can’t be filled, in policing and in friendship.”
De Waart-Hottart was laid to rest last week in a funeral attended by thousands.
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Victoria Police on the weekend announced a $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest – the largest award ever offered in Victoria for arrest as opposed to conviction.
The accused gunman is believed to remain heavily armed and has not been sighted since the Porepunkah shooting.
Freeman was last seen wearing dark green (khaki) tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses.
Police had previously suggested Freeman could be receiving help from somebody in the community, but in their announcement of the reward said there was nothing to indicate he was being helped by a “specific person”.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
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