Dezi Freeman manhunt day 14 LIVE updates: Shattered widow of cop Neal Thompson allegedly gunned down by Dezi Freeman is comforted by loved ones at moving funeral

By NICK WILSON, NEWS REPORTER and ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER

Updated: 23:53 EDT, 7 September 2025

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The manhunt for Dezi Freeman continues after he allegedly shot dead two police officers at Porepunkah in Victoria on August 26. 

Slain officer Neal Thompson, 59, will be farewelled at a funeral today. 

Follow Daily Mail’s live coverage here.  

Detective Thompson’s partner breaks down

Lisa Thompson, Neal Thompson’s partner, broke down while telling the chapel how she met him while on the job in 2016.

‘We worked one shift together and it changed the course of my life,’ she said.

‘I had never laughed so much with someone I’d just met.

‘I knew Neal to be an intensely private person, a provider and protector.

‘We were the opposite in every way, but together we were unstoppable.’

One comfort to Ms Thompson was the last weekend she and Detective Thompson spent together as it ‘was our best’.

We worked on the new farm all day and as the sun began to set, he called out, “Hey farm wife, why isn’t dinner ready yet?”,’ she said.

‘To which I laughed and replied, while shaking my head: “You are the best husband I’ve had, but I do love being your farm wife”.

‘That night, as we wined and dined and gazed at the stars, we left nothing unsaid.’

While fighting back tears, Ms Thompson said her husband ‘showed us how brilliant life is if you have the courage to try’.

‘Through it all, he taught me how love without fear and how to be brave when I’m scared,’ she said.

‘I’m so grateful you did, because I am scared. I don’t want to live life without you, 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 honour you and cherish every moment that I spent with you.’

Victoria Police’s farewell message

Victoria Police released a statement on behalf of all officers grieving the death of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal ‘Thommo’ Thompson, who died alongside Vadim de Waart-Hottart while on-duty in Porepunkah.

Shortly before Constable Thompson’s funeral began, the police force said: ‘Ever-reliable, crew-first, and always the one to step forward with purpose – that’s how colleagues remember “Thommo”.

‘Across his 38 years of dedicated service to Victoria Police, Neal treated policing the same way he approached his hobbies – full steam ahead.

‘He was due to finish his final shift on Friday 5 September, but right up until then Neal gave his all.

‘After a good day catching crooks, he was often heard to say, “You’d do this for free” and more recently, “I’m gonna miss this stuff”.’

As several loved ones echoed during his funeral, the proud policeman was always good for a laugh and knew how to brighten his colleagues’ day.

‘His unique phrases and humour brought camaraderie to the toughest days, and his passion for the job will be remembered always,’ Victoria Police said.

‘Neal was a colleague, a mentor, a peer and a friend.

‘In the words of his close colleague, Detective Sergeant Chris Hill: “We are devastated at the loss of Thommo and no one can replace him. He loved us and we loved him. We will never forget him.”

‘Today, as we farewell Neal, we honour his service and the legacy he leaves behind.’

WATCH: Guard of honour for fallen policeman Neal ThompsonEmotional ceremony is brought to an endNeal Thompson’s little sister tearfully remembers her ‘invincible’ brother

Lois Thompson, the younger sister of Neal Thompson, shared precious memories of her brother with funeral attendees.

‘I recall chatting with you one day about the need for a will. You said to me you didn’t need one because you were invincible and you were never going to die,’ she said.

‘But you always had to win or be the one to go in first.

‘You can now enjoy fishing and shooting with Dad or watch Mum playing croquet in the great beyond.

‘We will always love you. You were the golden boy, the adventurer and the protector.

‘You’re our big brother. You will always be our big brother.’

Anthony Albanese and Jacinta Allan comfort slain cop’s loved onesSenior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart’s parents attend funeralSolemn attendees arrive for Detective Thompson’s funeralPriest at Dezi Freeman’s church speaks out on the alleged gunman

The priest at the church where Dezi Freeman was a parishioner said the fugitive seemed ‘agitated’ in the days before he allegedly shot dead two police officers.

Father Tony Shallue told the Daily Mail Freeman and his wife Mali and their two younger children attended Our Lady of the Snows ‘every Sunday’.

The family was so closely linked to the church that special toys were placed to occupy the Freemans’ toddler while mass was on, and Mali often volunteered to help others.

Father Shallue said he last saw Freeman at mass just two days before the alleged murders, which sparked one of the biggest manhunts in Victoria’s history.

‘His love of his family was strong, he was part of the community, but that particular Sunday [two days before the alleged shootings] I just sensed it, and I didn’t know a reason, but I sensed that he just seemed a little agitated,’ he said.

‘He was jagged in his movements and walking quite quickly, whereas he’d usually just stay around and chat to people, but not that Sunday.’

Father Shallue said he first noticed a change in his ‘community and family’-focused parishioner when Pope Francis died on April 21 this year.

What we know as of Monday morning:

• Dezi Freeman, 56, remains on the run, 14 days after he allegedly gunned down Detective Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, at his Porepunkah property in Victoria’s High Country.
• Ten officers attended the property on August 26 to serve a warrant over historic sexual assault charges involving a minor when Freeman allegedly opened fire, killing two and wounding a third.
• Detective Thompson will be farewelled at a funeral in Melbourne on Monday morning, days after hundreds of officers gathered to pay tribute to Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart at the same chapel.
• There have still been no confirmed sightings of Freeman despite police issuing a $1million reward for information leading to his arrest on Saturday.
• Heavily-armed officers executed a search warrant on Freeman’s Porepunkah home on Thursday, where computers, cameras and other items were seized.
• The manhunt is ongoing with police continuing to clear the surrounding bushland, including caves and mineshafts.
• Police earlier said they believed Freeman was being helped by people in the local community but now say there is nothing to suggest he is being helped by a specific person.
• Dezi Freeman’s son, Koah, told the Australian and Herald Sun on Sunday his father had the skills to survive harsh rural conditions but was probably dead.

Dezi Freeman’s son breaks silence

The son of accused cop killer Dezi Freeman has said his father had Rambo-like skills but is ‘probably dead’ in his first interview since two officers were gunned down.

Authorities continue to hunt the 56-year-old, who allegedly shot dead Detective Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart , 35, at his rural property in Porepunkah in the Victorian High Country on August 26.

During the operation, a third officer was also allegedly wounded by Freeman, who then fled into bushland and has not been seen since.

Second police officer killed in deadly ambush to be farewelled today

The second police officer killed in a fatal ambush at Porepunkah in Victoria will be farewelled today as the hunt for his alleged killer continues.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, (pictured below) was killed in the line of duty on August 26 while executing a search warrant at the home of Dezi Freeman.

He was one among ten police officers convened to carry out the search including Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, who was also killed at the scene.

Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart was farewelled at the Victoria Police Academy Chapel in Glen Waverley, in Melbourne’s east on Friday.

On Monday, Detective Thompson will be laid to rest at the same chapel – on the campus where his career began nearly 40 years ago.

He was due to retire from Victoria Police on Friday last week.

Detective Thompson will receive full police honours at the funeral service on Monday morning, which will be followed by a private cremation.

Mourners have been directed to donate to Police Legacy instead of buying flowers.

Key Updates

• Victoria Police’s farewell message

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• Emotional ceremony is brought to an end

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• Detective Thompson’s partner breaks down

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• Second police officer killed in deadly ambush to be farewelled today

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Dezi Freeman manhunt day 14 LIVE updates: Shattered widow of cop Neal Thompson allegedly gunned down by Dezi Freeman is comforted by loved ones at moving funeral