General News
29 August, 2025
Two police officers killed in the line of duty remembered across the state
As Victoria Police mourns the loss of two of its own, communities across the state have thrown their arms around each other in a show of support, including locally.
The news of Senior Constable Vadim De Waart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson’s deaths while executing a warrant in Porepunkah on Tuesday had a far-reaching impact across the state.
Locally, flags have been flown at half mast while buildings — including the redeveloped Maryborough Hospital — were illuminated in blue in a show of gratitude and support for Victoria Police.
The sentiment is particularly heartfelt given Sen Con De Waart was stationed out of Maryborough early in his police career and has a number of local relatives.
At this week’s Central Goldfields Shire Council meeting, councillors acknowledged the officers’ deaths and reflected on Sen Con De Waart’s time in the shire.
Councillor Jake Meyer remembered him as a “true person” of the community.
“I give my condolence to the Maryborough officers who taught this young lad,” he said.
“We’ve lost one of our own.”
Through tears councillor Ben Green offered his condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the officers and a speedy recovery to the officer who was injured.
“I wish that the council provide condolences to Victoria Police and also to our local police in our area here,” he said.
It’s news which Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said had “struck the heart of Victoria Police” earlier this week.
“In the coming days, weeks and months, we will all grieve this loss and deeply miss our colleagues and friends who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” he said.
He thanked the public for their outpouring of support for Victoria Police which has seen flowers and words of encouragement quickly fill police stations across the state.
“It’s quite overwhelming and very comforting to know that the public support our police,” he said.
“In these difficult times it is so important that our people stand together and support each other, and I have full confidence that we will all do this with dignity and respect.”
Many in the community remember the murder of local police officer Senior Constable Maurice Moore in September 1986, with a plaque at the front of the Maryborough Police Station a constant reminder of the tragic loss associated with any officer’s death in the line of duty.
The deaths of Sen Con De Waart and Det Led Sen Con Thompson join the legacy of heartbreak associated with loss, but also one of community spirit and unity.
Victoria Police’s statement describing the officers killed in the line of duty can be found below.
Senior Constable Vadim De Waart (VP44954)
Vadim started his policing career at the Victoria Police Academy in December 2018. Following his training, Vadim joined St Kilda Police Station where he worked for three years, before joining PORT as a senior constable in April 2023. At the time of his passing, Vadim was on temporary assignment in Wangaratta.
An eternal optimist and avid traveller, Vadim was fluent in French, Spanish, Flemish and English. He had also completed scuba dives all around the world and motorcycling trips more locally with his friends and colleagues.
He was a keen gin collector and always picked up a local bottle on his overseas adventures for his large collection at home. While travelling was his passion, Vadim was extremely proud to have purchased his first home in Melbourne in recent years.
Vadim is survived by his beloved parents Carolina and Alain, who live in his native Belgium, and his younger brother Sacha who lives in Switzerland. Closer to home in Melbourne, he leaves behind his aunty Jacqueline, uncle Shane, uncle Peter, aunty Maria and his cousins Christopher, Jeremy, Laura and Tessa.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (VP26182)
Neal joined Victoria Police in September 1987 and, after completing his training, spent seven years in general duties at Collingwood Police Station.
For the next decade, Neal worked as a detective at the Major Fraud Squad and the State Crime Squad, before taking up his most recent post at Wangaratta CIU in July 2007.
Neal was an adventurer and enjoyed all things outdoors. He loved getting out in nature, and his friends and colleagues regularly joined him on these trips.
Neal had spent the past six years alongside his partner, Lisa, the love of his life. Since the pair met, Neal had found new purpose and was planning in earnest for his imminent retirement.
Together with Lisa, Neal had built a new home and had a long list of tasks planned after he knocked off work for the last time.