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6d ago

Thousands Farewell Detective Neal Thompson as Manhunt for Suspected Gunman Enters Third Week

A record A$1 million reward now underpins the hunt for suspect Dezi Freeman.

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A police coffin at a funeral with cap and flowers on top of it
Police form a guard of honour for Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson. Picture by AAP
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Overview

  • Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, was farewelled with full police honours at the Victoria Police Academy, with thousands attending including the prime minister and the Victorian premier.
  • Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart was laid to rest on Friday, and both fallen officers received the Victoria Police Star along with national and service medals.
  • Victoria Police continue large-scale searches across the High Country for 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, with specialist teams deployed and more than 100 properties examined.
  • Police have offered up to A$1 million for information leading to Freeman’s arrest and urge the public to report sightings to Crime Stoppers without approaching him.
  • The officers were shot on August 26 while executing a search warrant over alleged historic sexual offences at a Porepunkah property, and a third colleague was seriously injured.