Mourners gathered at St Augustine’s Anglican Church on August 31 to remember the fallen members of Victoria Police.
St Augustine’s Anglican Church and St Brendan’s Catholic Church have each held a service to remember Victoria Police members Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, who died in the line of duty, and a third member who was also injured, on August 26 at Porepunkah.
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Reverend Jerome Francis led the St Augustine’s service on August 31, where candles were lit in memory of the fallen officers.
Many current and former police officers joined church parishioners, along with local dignitaries, at the St Augustine’s service.
Many current and former police officers joined church parishioners, along with local dignitaries, including state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and former state Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell.
A candle-lighting ceremony featured at the St Brendan’s service.
St Brendan’s Parish saw an estimated 400 mourners in attendance on Thursday, September 4, where Father Joe Taylor led a Catholic service.
Shepparton police chaplain David Doherty and Senior Constable Donna Thomson at the St Brendan’s service.
“As the piper with the police walked out to the tune of Amazing Grace, the whole congregation applauded them,” church organist and parishioner Dale Wright said.
“There was not a dry eye in the church.”
Around 400 parishioners attended the St Brendan’s September 4 service.
The officers were among 10 Victoria Police members who attended a property on the outskirts of the Victorian alpine region town of Porepunkah, 163km from Shepparton, to execute a routine search warrant.
A man, believed to be 56-year-old Desmond Filby, otherwise known as Dezi or Desmond Freeman, allegedly opened fire on them, killing the 59-year-old Detective Leading Senior Constable Thompson and 35-year-old Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart.
A third officer was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after being shot in the lower body, where he underwent surgery.
A manhunt is still under way in Victoria’s high country.
Last week, Victoria Police announced a $1 million reward for information that leads to the apprehension of the suspect.
