A third police officer was wounded.
Thompson will be farewelled today at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley.
“Neal was one-of-a-kind, a laid back adventurer who loved to share the outdoors with his mates,” The Police Association Victoria said in a post on Facebook.
“He was devoted to partner Lisa, the love of his life. He loved his job and he was proud of it.
“Neal had an almost 40-year career of service and a vivid plan for life after policing. Sadly, that future has been taken, but his history of service and his impact on the community he served will endure.
“‘Thommo’ will leave a void at Wangaratta that can’t be filled, in policing and in friendship.”
Victoria Police on the weekend announced a $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest – the largest award ever offered in Victoria for arrest as opposed to conviction.
The accused gunman is believed to remain heavily armed and has not been sighted since the Porepunkah shooting.
Freeman was last seen wearing dark green (khaki) tracksuit pants, dark green rain jacket, brown Blundstone boots and reading glasses.
Police had previously suggested Freeman could be receiving help from somebody in the community, but in their announcement of the reward said there was nothing to indicate he was being helped by a “specific person”.
