Moving goodbye ceremony for Victorian law enforcement official killed on duty
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Victoria Police is preparing to bid farewell to one of its own, Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart. The 35-year-old officer passed away in a violent alleged confrontation while serving a warrant on August 26.
De Waart-Hottart, who hailed from Belgium, was described as an eternal optimist by his colleagues in the force. He recently was on a temporary assignment from his role in the public order response team. His colleagues will line the surrounding streets to perform a guard of honour for the exiting coffin.
The funeral for Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart will take place at the Victoria Police Academy. The capacity of the chapel has been doubled from 500 people to more than 1000 people to accommodate the large number of attendees. Among those expected to attend are Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, and Police Minister Anthony Carbines.
Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart is survived by his parents, Carolina and Alain, who live in Belgium, and his Switzerland-based younger brother, Sacha. He also leaves behind aunties, uncles, and cousins in Melbourne.
The police air wing will perform a flyover during the funeral as a tribute to the fallen officer.
Another officer was badly injured in the same incident and is currently recovering.
The Manhunt for Dezi Freeman
The incident that claimed the life of Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart was allegedly perpetrated by Dezi Freeman, a 56-year-old man who shot and killed two police officers at his home in Porepunkah, northeastern Victoria, Australia, and has been on the run in the Australian bushland since the incident that took place on a Tuesday about a week ago.
Freeman is considered heavily armed, affiliated with the "Sovereign Citizens" movement, and is being actively pursued by police in a large manhunt that has now lasted several days. His wife has publicly urged him to surrender to authorities.
More than 100 properties in the Alpine area have been searched by police, but Freeman remains elusive. Reports suggest that people possibly know where Freeman is hiding out. Investigators and Freeman's wife have issued pleas for him to surrender.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson was also killed in the same incident.
Remembering Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart
Senior Constable De Waart-Hottart was an accomplished scuba diver and enjoyed motorcycle trips with friends and colleagues. He was fluent in four languages and purchased his first home in Melbourne recently. Whenever he went on international adventures, he would always pick up a bottle of local gin.
De Waart-Hottart was an eternal optimist, a quality that shone through in his work. His colleagues remember him as a dedicated officer who always put the safety of others before his own.
The police chapel at the Victoria Police Academy was bathed in blue before sunrise, a poignant symbol of the respect and admiration that De Waart-Hottart commanded within the force. His funeral will be a fitting tribute to a man who gave his life in the service of others.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson will be farewelled with full honours on Monday. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of both officers during this difficult time.
