Victoria Police officer Neal Thompson farewelled in funeral service after Porepunkah shooting

The partner of slain police officer Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson has promised to “cherish every moment” she spent with the beloved and longstanding policeman in an emotional eulogy before thousands of mourners. Sergeant Lisa Thompson, the partner of Senior Constable Thompson, spoke with love for the “incredible man” she built a life with after they met while working together at the Wangaratta police station. “We worked one shift together and it changed the course of my life,” she said. “In just eight hours, I learned so much about him … his passion for the (Essendon) Bombers, hunting, fishing and catching crooks.” “I had never laughed so much with someone I’d just met.” Hundreds of police officers attended the funeral service for Constable Thompson, who was shot and killed in the line of duty alongside Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart on August 26 on a property outside Porepunkah. The suspected shooter, sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, fled into bushland on foot, leading to a massive ongoing manhunt. Both Constable de Waart-Hottart, 34, and Constable Thompson, 59, died at the scene. In the service held at the Victoria Police Academy chapel, Sergeant Thompson said she and Constable Thompson were “the opposites in every way, but together we were unstoppable”. “And in spite of our differences, he would become the centre of my world and the love of my life,” she said. In a haunting moment, she said the last weekend the pair had spent together “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.” In tears, she said Constable Thompson “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. “And 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.” Police commissioners from across Australia and New Zealand, Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines attended the service. The parents of Constable de Waart-Hottart were also in attendance. Constable Thompson entered the police force in 1987, and was due to complete his final day of work and retire last Friday. He served in general duties and detective roles in Melbourne before transferring to Wangaratta in 2007. His sisters Lois Kirk and Diane Thompson spoke together, remembering their brother as an “adventurer and protector”. “You were our big brother, you will always be our big brother. Rest in peace, mate,” they said. In an emotional moment, longtime friend Jason Williams addressed Constable Thompson’s police colleagues and asked them to “never blame” themselves for the tragedy that unfolded on August 26. “To Thommo’s colleagues, I worked alongside most of you at one time or another, and I say from the bottom of my heart to those who were with Thommo when this tragedy unfolded, never blame yourself for what happened,” he said. “We know who to blame. For 37 years, Thommo knew the risks and accepted them with courage and pride. “Always first through the door, he was always there to protect his mates. “Thommo died doing what he devoted his life to. He loved the job and those he worked with. He would never want you to blame yourselves.” In closing his eulogy, Mr Williams addressed Constable Thompson directly and revealed the touching way the pair would end their almost-daily phone calls together. “You’d regularly finish with, ‘Love you buddy,’ and I’d always reply that, ‘I love you too, mate’,” he said. “I’m glad we were comfortable enough to be that honest.” A photo montage of Constable Thompson’s life showed him to be an avid hunter and fisherman. Throughout the service, a candle burned in the centre of the chapel and Senior Police Chaplain Drew Mellow said it embodied Constable Thompson’s “light, love and legacy”. “I draw your attention towards the candle burning in the central part of our chapel today,” he said. “The flicker of the candle reminds us of the ongoing light, love and legacy of Neal John Thompson. “That legacy remains with us, as we move into the next season of our life. Neal’s presence will always remain with us, in different and in special ways.” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Constable Thompson was a “highly respected, highly regarded, very capable, very experienced police officer and member of the Victoria Police”. “Neal, you will be missed, but you will not be forgotten.” “On behalf of your Victoria Police colleagues, vale, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal ‘Thommo’ Thompson”. Detective Senior Constable Timothy Doyle, a friend and colleague, read out Constable Doyle’s record of service. In one instance, Constable Thompson turned a “simple property found job” into the discovery of methamphetamine, a pistol and drug trafficking equipment, leading to the arrest of an offender. He was described as showing “excellent judgement and experience far beyond his level” at the time. “Thommo, you went through the door first, and I owe you my life for that,” Constable Doyle said. “We will miss you mate, and you will not be forgotten.” The mourners observed a minute of and the Police Ode was read out. Constable Thompson has been posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star. It is awarded as recognition by the Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Victorian community of employees who have killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. Uniformed police officers lined the road outside the chapel for an honour guard procession. The officers saluted Constable Thompson as his coffin passed by.