Freeman’s wife Amalia Freeman pleaded for him to safely surrender and put an end to the ordeal in Victoria’s high country.

Freeman has been at large since August 26 following an incident at his property in Porepunkah, about 300km northeast of Melbourne.

The 56-year-old, who identifies as a sovereign citizen, is charged with the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35.

Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines acknowledged the search is taxing on resources but assured that every effort was being made to resolve the situation.

‘We’re throwing everything at it,’ he told reporters.

Ms Freeman said she did not hold anti-authority views and would co-operate with police in any way she could.

Ms Freeman and her 15-year-old son were arrested at a Porepunkah home last week.

Both were interviewed and later released without charge.

‘We echo the requests of the Victoria Police for the swift and safe conclusion of this tragedy,’ she said.

‘Please Dezi, if you see or hear this, call 000 and arrange a surrender plan with the police.’

She offered her condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the officers killed, saying she was grieving for their loss.

Ms Freeman urged anyone harbouring or helping her husband, or anyone with a snippet of information, to contact police.

It is alleged Freeman shot three officers undertaking a warrant at his property.

Police are probing whether a 61-year-old man arrested at Bright, just outside Porepunkah, was associated with Freeman.

The man was allegedly found with weapons and cannabis.

He has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm and a drug of dependence.

A man reported to Seven News that he had never encountered Freeman, despite Freeman being a participant in a 45,000-member online community the man founded, which centered on sustainability with an emphasis on hunting.

‘It’s not right at all. I’ve never met him, not at all,’ he said.

He recounted armed police knocking on his door.

‘I looked up once and I thought, shit, and I saw all of the hands on the triggers – Jesus Christ, and I thought, don’t even move,’ he said.

‘I stuck me bloody hands up and I’m waiting for the bullets to come howling in on me.’

More than 400 police officers from Victoria, plus interstate colleagues, have been battling at times blizzard-like conditions as part of the search.