Australian police name two officers shot dead as hunt for killer continues

Australian police have named two police officers shot dead while on duty in the alpine region of Victoria, as a huge search continued yesterday for their alleged killer.

- Benita Kolovos Nino Bucci

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, were named as the officers killed on Tuesday – allegedly by Dezi Freeman, 56.

Police are continuing their search for Freeman, who was seen running into the bush alone immediately after the shooting in Porepunkah in north-east Victoria, 200 miles from Melbourne.

Police have described the search area as very wide, and said Freeman was "heavily armed" and "understands bushcraft well".

The two dead officers had been part of a group of 10 police – made up of local officers and members of the sexual offences and child abuse investigation team – who entered a property to serve a search warrant before being fired upon. A third officer was also injured.

Thompson joined Victoria police in 1987 and worked across several roles, including on the major fraud and state crime squads. He took up his most recent post with the Wangaratta criminal investigation unit in July 2007.

In a statement, police described Thompson as an "adventurer" who "enjoyed all things outdoors", and who regularly took his friends and colleagues on trips with him.