An avid traveller with the world at his feet, Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart should be plotting his next holiday adventure.
Instead, heartbroken loved ones, friends, colleagues and political leaders will farewell him at a private funeral today at the Victoria Police Academy, where he started his police career seven years ago.
The 35-year-old grew up in Belgium before joining the Victoria Police for what was shaping up to be a long, successful career until his life was cut short in the line of duty.
His colleague, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, was also killed, while another officer was badly injured in a violent alleged confrontation with Dezi Freeman while serving a warrant on August 26.
The police chapel was bathed in blue before sunrise this morning as flowers were laid at the gates of the academy in Melbourne's east.
Its capacity has been doubled from 500 people to more than 1000 people.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines will be there to pay their respects.
The Police Air Wing will perform a flyover as his colleagues line the surrounding streets to perform a guard of honour for the exiting coffin.
Dezi Freeman has been on the run since last Tuesday following deadly violence at his property in Porepunkah. (Source: Nine)
De Waart-Hottart had recently arrived at Wangaratta in Victoria's high country on a temporary assignment from his role in the public order response team.
Described as an eternal optimist by colleagues in the force, he was fluent in four languages and proud to have purchased his first home in Melbourne in recent years.
The accomplished scuba diver who always picked up a bottle of local gin on his international adventures. Coser to home, he revelled in motorcycle trips with friends and colleagues.
De Waart 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 policing family will again mourn a colleague when Thompson is farewelled with full honours on Monday.
Both funerals are private and members of the public have been asked not to attend.
Hundreds of Victoria Police members and Australian Defence Force personnel continue to scour the high country looking for Freeman, who fled into bushland after the incident at Porepunkah, 300km northeast of Melbourne.
Investigators believe the 56-year-old is alive, prompting the force and his wife to issue pleas for him to surrender.
More than 100 properties in the Alpine area have been searched and police believe people possibly know where Freeman is hiding out.
He shares views consistent with the sovereign citizen movement and is considered to be an experienced bushman.
SHARE ME