Thursday, 28 August 2025

Victoria Police deaths

Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (09:44): August is always a tough month for Victoria Police. In 1998 we had Rod Miller and Gary Silk murdered in Moorabbin. Now, tragically, we have had two more members murdered in Porepunkah. Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart were murdered on Tuesday, the day before yesterday, 26 August 2025. All police face the risk of death and injury every time they put on the uniform and go about serving the state of Victoria. It is part and parcel of that calling. The entire force will feel the effect of Neal and Vadim’s murders, and they will feel it for a long time. Victoria Police is a large organisation, but it is made up of brothers and sisters, many who will never meet; however, they would willingly risk their lives for each other. As the people that make up Victoria Police – both sworn and unsworn – and the 000 or D24 call takers and dispatchers come to terms with this event, I urge them to remember that the decent people of Victoria have their backs and to remember they are not alone. Vale, Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart. Hasten the dawn.