COMMUNITIES across the state are mourning the loss of two police officers who were killed in the line of duty on Tuesday in Porepunkah. A third officer remains in hospital, recovering from serious injuries sustained in the shooting at a property on Rayner Track shortly after 10.30am.
Locally, residents have rallied en masse in support, leaving flowers outside police stations across the region, delivering food, and checking in on local officers to show their appreciation and support.
“This is an extremely difficult and sad time for our Victoria Police family, and we're profoundly grateful to the Victorian and the Bass Coast community for the compassion and support shown to us during this challenging period,” Inspector Cath Middleton, Bass Coast Local Area Commander, stated on Thursday afternoon to the Sentinel-Times.
Across the state, flags are flying at half-mast, including at local shire buildings and police stations.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and colleagues of the two police officers who so tragically lost their lives in Porepunkah. No one should go to work and not come home to their family,” Bass Coast Shire Mayor Rochelle Halstead said.
“On behalf of our community, my fellow Councillors and Council Officers, we also extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Victoria Police family.
“This is a devastating reminder of the risks our police officers face every day in keeping our communities safe, and today we honour their courage, service and sacrifice.”
Recognising the significance of the incident, South Gippsland Shire Council has announced it will light up the hall in blue, joining the statewide tribute led by government and councils.
“In the Mayor's Message this week, there will be a tribute to the fallen police officers. Additionally, we will be lighting the hall up blue in recognition of the police who have lost their lives and to show our feelings for the police force in general,” South Gippsland Shire Mayor John Schelling said on Thursday afternoon.
“We are treating it as a very severe incident that the public should be distressed by.”
Police named the two officers killed in the line of duty as:
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (VP26182)
Neal joined Victoria Police in September 1987 and, after completing his training, spent seven years in general duties at Collingwood Police Station.
For the next decade, Neal worked as a detective at the Major Fraud Squad and the State Crime Squad, before taking up his most recent post at Wangaratta CIU in July 2007.
Neal was an adventurer and enjoyed all things outdoors. He loved getting out in nature, and his friends and colleagues regularly joined him on these trips.
Neal had spent the past six years alongside his partner, Lisa, the love of his life. Since the pair met, Neal had found new purpose and was planning in earnest for his imminent retirement. Together with Lisa, Neal had built a new home and had a long list of tasks planned after he knocked off work for the last time.
Senior Constable Vadim De Waart (VP44954)
Vadim started his policing career at the Victoria Police Academy in December 2018. Following his training, Vadim joined St Kilda Police Station where he worked for three years, before joining PORT as a senior constable in April 2023. At the time of his passing, Vadim was on temporary assignment in Wangaratta.
An eternal optimist and avid traveller, Vadim was fluent in French, Spanish, Flemish and English. He had also completed scuba dives all around the world and motorcycling trips more locally with his friends and colleagues.
He was a keen gin collector and always picked up a local bottle on his overseas adventures for his large collection at home. While travelling was his passion, Vadim was extremely proud to have purchased his first home in Melbourne in recent years.
Vadim is survived by his beloved parents Carolina and Alain, who live in his native Belgium, and his younger brother Sacha who lives in Switzerland. Closer to home in Melbourne, he leaves behind his aunty Jacqueline, uncle Shane, uncle Peter, aunty Maria and his cousins Christopher, Jeremy, Laura and Tessa.
Police are continuing their extensive search for Desmond Filby, also known as Desmond Freeman, in rough bushland in the Porepunkah area. He is believed to be heavily armed and police are urging the community to contact 000 if they have any information that could help in locating his whereabouts. Victorians are urged to stay away from the region, including Mt Buffalo National Park, which is currently closed to the public.