5.00pm

‘Heart of gold’: Café reflects on losing regular customer Thompson

By Angus Delaney

As tributes continue to flow for Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart, the officers allegedly shot dead by Dezi Freeman, staff at the senior officer’s local cafe have shared their heartbreak at his passing.

“He [Thompson] would sit quietly for hours reading the paper or engaging in conversation with locals that knew him,” Ineeta cafe staff wrote on social media.

“We would chat about life, hunting, fishing, Nepal, adventures, his car, rock climbing, property, finances, Cooktown, his boat, Jimmy [his dog], mangoes, smoked venison, work stories and lately all the things [he] was going to do in his retirement. I’m so sad he won’t get to live that life in retirement.

“Struggling to believe he’s gone. He’s left a big hole in our community and our hearts. Gone but never forgotten.”

Accused police killer speaks of hardships, hatred in affidavit

By Erin Pearson

Dezi Freeman was angry that his driver’s licence and gun permit had been taken away.

He saw it as a threat to his life and his family, who lived together off the grid in a van.

“I need my licence so that I can drive without being assaulted, violated or shot by police. I need to drive for a litany of reasons. Practically, everything I do revolves around the ability to exercise my right to travel, the ability to carry goods and people, especially my family members,” he wrote in an affidavit for a court.

“Given my particular situation, location, history and culture, it’s almost like asking why I need to breathe, eat or walk.”

In the articulate documents, which referenced legislation to support his argument, Freeman didn’t hide his contempt for police.

It was the middle of 2024, and the 56-year-old father was four years into fighting a two-year licence suspension after being intercepted for speeding 16 kilometres over the speed limit, using a mobile phone while behind the wheel and refusing a roadside drug test.

By this stage, his fight had reached the Supreme Court of Victoria, where he detailed how not being able to drive would derail his children’s homeschooling, including trips to the snow, and swimming lessons for his baby boy.

“My wife came here from the Philippines 20 years ago hoping to escape the blunt hardships and injustices of that country, but here we are in an oppressive and constantly worsening situation. Taking my licence has just pushed us to breaking point given the hell we have already been through,” he wrote.

4.02pm

Premier, minister visit wife of slain officer

By Rachel Eddie

Police Minister Anthony Carbines has spoken in the Victorian parliament about the Porepunkah shooting deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart.

He said he visited Thompson’s wife with Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush earlier on Thursday.

“It was a privilege alongside the premier and chief commissioner Bush to spend some time today with Mr Thompson’s wife,” Carbines said.

He paid his respects to the officers and their families, and said Victorians had come together by flooding police stations around the state with cards, chocolates and flowers.

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And he included a quick swipe at the Liberal Party after a febrile debate in the upper house last night.

“While some in this place have sought to focus on conspiracy theories and fringe voices, Victorians have shown their support and gratitude to the men and women of Victoria Police,” Carbines said.

“Our police have been touched by an overwhelming tragedy, the impact of which is felt by all Victorians.”