Thompson, 59, and De Waart, 35, attended the semi-rural property on Rayner Track in Porepunkah yesterday about 10.30am alongside eight other officers to serve a warrant to accused gunman Dezi Freeman.

“Neal joined Victoria Police in September 1987 and, after completing his training, spent seven years in general duties at Collingwood Police Station,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“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.”

Thompson has been described as an “adventurer who loved all things outdoors”.

“Neal had spent the past six years alongside his partner, Lisa, the love of his life,” the statement continued.

“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.”

Belgian-born De Waart began his police career in 2018.

He worked at St Kilda Police Station for thee years and had been on a temporary assignment in Wangaratta, police said.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

De Waart is survived by his parents Carolina and Alain, who live in Belgium.

His younger brother lives in Switzerland, while his aunties and cousins live in Melbourne.

“This devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police, the broader policing family and the community of Porepunkah,” Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said.

“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.

“It is not lost on me that our members take a risk every time they go to work to protect the Victorian community. While we all live with the knowledge that the worst could happen on a shift, we don’t expect it to.

“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.

The officers were shot when Freeman allegedly opened fire and they both died at the scene.

The third injured officer remains in hospital in a stable condition after undergoing surgery.

Bush said today that 10 officers attended the property to serve a warrant to Freeman.

“The team who we want there were local officers and members of the sexual offences and child investigation team,” Bush said.

Accused gunman Freeman, also known as Desmond Filby, remains on the run.

The 56-year-old allegedly fled into the bush on foot after firing upon two officers, killing two and injuring a third.

There have been no confirmed sightings of Freeman so far.

The situation remains “active” and police have warned residents to stay alert and listen to advice as hundreds of officers comb Porepunkah for the accused cop killer.

Police have admitted Freeman, who lives on the semi-rural property in Porepunkah where the shooting took place, knows the area “better than us”.

Police have also warned Freeman could be armed with “several” firearms.