Far from a life of settling down, Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart was just beginning to build a legacy as an extraordinary member in blue.
Ultimately, their journeys came to a tragic end side-by-side at a property in Porepunkah, in Victoria's alpine region, on August 26, 2025.
The pair were gunned down by Dezi Freeman while executing a warrant for his arrest at the secluded property, 310km northeast of Melbourne.
It has been described as one of the "most tragic days in Victoria Police history" by Chief Commissioner Mike Bush.
"Today is a solemn day for every single member of Victoria Police who will no doubt remember this tragedy like it was yesterday," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Police colleagues and dignitaries will gather in Bright to mark the one-year anniversary of their deaths.
Family members and officers also attended a service in Wangaratta on Tuesday where a monument was unveiled to honour the fallen officers.
Lois Kirk and Dianne Thompson, the sisters of slain officer Det Sen Const Thompson, said the past year had been very difficult.
"We miss our big brother every single day. Neal was fiercely loyal, a natural leader and just as tough as he was soft," they said.
"It's what made him such a good police officer. He followed in the footsteps of our grandfather and never wanted to be anything else. He truly loved his job."
The pair described the past year as hell for their family, and thanked their brother's friends and colleagues.
"Neal was just days away from living out his retirement dream which was full of world travel and adventuring around Australia," they said.
"We are beyond devastated that it has been taken away from him, from us."
His partner, Sergeant Lisa Thompson, also attended the service, laying a wreath at the memorial.
"Every day feels surreal, and there are many of us who still expect to see him walk through the front door," she said.
"We lost Neal, our world, and the bright, adventurous future that our family had planned together. His loss has ripped through our hearts, our family and our community."
Sen Const de Waart-Hottart's parents said their family feel a deep connection and gratitude for the community's care and kindness.
"We understand now that Vadim belongs to a much wider family than our own. Both a police family and a broader family of the Victorian community," a statement on behalf of Carolina de Waart and Alain Hottart and family said.
"The words, care and support we have received from Vadim's police family, and the community, has been extraordinary.
"The grief of our family has been shared with a caring community, and we have been uplifted by the support provided, at a time of incredible grief."
The search for Freeman was the largest tactical policing operation in Australian history, involving hundreds of officers and specialised resources.
Police tracked Freeman to a shipping container at Thologolong in Victoria's remote northeast seven months after he disappeared into dense bushland following the Porepunkah shooting.
The 56-year-old was fatally shot after emerging from the container holding a black handgun following hours of negotiations on the morning of March 30.
Twin coronial hearings for the murdered officers and Freeman are unfolding in the Victorian Coroners Court.
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