Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has warned that anyone who helped police killer Dezi Freeman avoid capture remains firmly in investigators’ sights, declaring, “we know exactly who they are”.
Speaking on the first anniversary of the deaths of veteran detective Neal Thompson and rising star Vadim de Waart-Hottart, Bush said Taskforce Summit was continuing its work into Freeman’s accomplices.
“Those people know exactly who they are, and we know exactly who they are. We are working through the evidence to ensure that they are held to account,” he said.
When asked whether more arrests were expected, Bush replied: “That’s exactly what Taskforce Summit are working towards.
“That people who help and aid a brutal, cold-blooded murderer of police officers, and an alleged paedophile, is held to account [is the job of the taskforce],” he said.
Freeman was shot dead by police in March after evading authorities for seven months. Since then, five people have been arrested and released.
Bush said police had strengthened the case that began with allegations of child abuse, with more evidence gathered during the original investigation and further technical evidence obtained after August 26 last year.
“We know from the investigations we have conducted prior to that day and post that day, when we say alleged paedophile, it’s based on evidence,” he said.
Thompson, 59, and de Waart-Hottart, 35, were among 10 officers ambushed last August while serving a warrant on Freeman at Porepunkah in Victoria’s High Country as part of a child sexual abuse investigation.
In Bright on Wednesday, hundreds gathered in sunshine under blue skies to remember the two officers, alongside colleagues and relatives. At Bright police station, two mosaics were unveiled, one showing Thompson with his beloved dog Jimmy and the other depicting De Waart-Hottart.
The artworks are mounted high above the station foyer. A separate memorial and garden was also formally opened, featuring blue-and-white ribbon mosaics fixed to stones bearing the officers’ names and badge numbers.
After the emotional service, De Waart-Hottart’s aunt was seen embracing Thompson’s girlfriend, Sergeant Lisa Thompson.
Addressing the crowd, acting Commander Justin Schultz said he had first met Thompson soon after arriving in Wangaratta in 2007.
“He just wanted to be a policeman like his pop,” he said.
Commander in state emergencies and public order response Peta Barrett said De Waart-Hottart had been deeply dedicated to policing. She said he was also close to his parents and younger brother, who live overseas.
“He was kind, he was genuine, he was compassionate, he listened, he cared,” she said. “He took time to connect with people.”
A further memorial service was held on Tuesday at Wangaratta police station, where Thompson served for about 20 years.
Police Minister Paul Edbrooke attended the Bright service, along with opposition police spokesman Brad Battin.
