Police Veterans Victoria

25/08/2026

*Content warning*

On the morning of 26 August 2025 Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 26182 of Wangaratta CIU and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 44954 of PORT, were murdered in a shooting at a property near the regional Victorian town of Porepunkah, while attempting to execute a search warrant. A third member was seriously iinjured. The shooter, Desmond Freeman, a self-proclaimed sovereign citizen known to police, fled into the dense bushland of Mount Buffalo National Park.
A manhunt involving hundreds of police ensued, with Victoria Police supported by interstate police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Defence Force. The number of members involved in the manhunt was unprecedented in Australian history, and there was a AU$1 million reward for information leading to his arrest, which is the largest reward ever offered in Victorian history. On the morning of 30 March 2026, Freeman was shot dead by police in Thologolong near Walwa. He had been on the run for 216 days.
Neil and Vadim made the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember them and thank them for their service.

24/08/2026

We invite you to join in and support the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation with their main annual fundraising event.

The 2026 BUDGET Blue Ribbon Foundation Charity Ball is on Saturday the 3rd of October 2026 at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park.

All proceeds help fund emergency medical equipment and infrastructure in public hospital, which is named in honour of the police officers who died in the line of duty.

To find out more or book a spot, go to

Buy Tickets on Humanitix - 2026 BUDGET Blue Ribbon Foundation Charity Ball hosted by Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation. Centrepiece Melbourne Park, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Saturday 3rd October 2026. Find event information.

16/08/2026

*Content warning*

At about 6.25 p.m. on Saturday, 17th August 1985, Sergeant Arthur Kokkin 17714 was performing duty at Malvern when he was fatally injured when struck by a motor car as he crossed Glenferrie Road.

Arthur made the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember him and thank him for his service.

15/08/2026

*Content warning*

On 16 August 2006 Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe, 21796 of Wangaratta Police Station was on duty and travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta when her vehicle left the Omeo Hwy about 2.5 km south of Eskdale and hit a tree.

Ann was working as the Bicycle Education Officer and was on her way to give a lecture at the time of the collision.

Ann made the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember her and thank her for her service.

15/08/2026

*Content warning*

Today we remember Sergeant Gary Silk VA 24685 and Senior Constable Rodney Miller VA 29276

On the night of 15 August 1998, Sergeant Gary Silk, 34, and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, 35, were seconded to a Victoria Police Armed Robbery Squad operation, code named Operation Hamada, investigating a series of armed robberies committed on restaurants over a seven-year period. Gary and Rod were operating in an unmarked police car (call sign Moorabbin 404) when they intercepted a suspect vehicle in Cochranes Road Moorabbin. After the intercept both members were gunned down. Gary died instantly while Rod returned fire, with the offenders decamping in the suspect vehicle. Rod later succumbed to his injuries and died at Monash Hospital hours later. Both members were awarded Valour Awards posthumously.

In one of the largest and most complex investigations in Victoria Police history, the Lorimer Task Force utilised state of the art forensic techniques traditional investigation methods and other sophisticated methods to identify two suspects. Rod’s actions in returning fire resulted in important forensic evidence left at the scene. This was crucial in identifying those responsible.

Gary and Rod paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and today, we remember them and thank them for their service.

12/08/2026

Meet Jim Arnott, Veteran Sergeant 12530.

Jim is 95 years old and lives in an aged care home in Parkville. He is living with dementia and, while he knows he spent his working life in the job much of the detail has faded. Today, his clearest memories are often simply the postings he served at.

Some might say that’s a good thing. But there is still something powerful about remembering that a life of service deserves to be remembered by others.

PVV was contacted by Mercy Health in Parkville after staff discovered that Jim was a former Victoria Police member. They told us Jim had mentioned to a staff member that he hadn’t had anyone from Victoria Police visit him for some time and that he would love someone to come in and “talk old times.”

That was all the invitation we needed.

One of our Veteran Peer Support Officers, Kev Halsted, took up the task. He arrived armed with Jim’s police service records, some PVV merchandise and a couple of old TPAV magazines.

For Jim, it wasn’t about the merchandise or even the records. It was about someone sitting with him, talking about the job and helping reconnect him, even briefly, with a part of his life that meant so much.

Sometimes, the simplest gestures can mean the most.

A visit. A conversation. A familiar story. A reminder that you haven’t been forgotten.

11/08/2026

We're looking for our next Chief Executive Officer.

PVV is here for Victoria's police veterans and their families — through advocacy, wellbeing and transition support, and the work we do to remember those we've lost.

We're now looking for someone to lead the organisation into its next chapter.

It's a hands-on job. Small team, big volunteer base, plenty to do. The right person will be as comfortable meeting with government and corporate partners as they are turning up for members on a Saturday morning.

Full time, Melbourne based. $160,000 – $180,000 plus super.

If you know someone who'd be right for this, please pass it on. Our members are our best network.

More details and how to apply 👇
https://au.seek.com/job/93899088

10/08/2026

*Content warning*

At about 1515 hours on Monday, 11th August 1980, Senior Constable Barry O’Donoghue, 16987 of the Traffic Operations Group Special Solo section was on patrol in the Maidstone area when he was fatally injured in a collision with a vehicle at the intersection of Ballarat Road and Short Street, Maidstone.

Barry made the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember him and thank him for his service.

10/08/2026

All serving and veteran members are warmly invited to attend two commemorative matches on Tuesday 18 August 2026 honouring the legacy of Sergeant Gary Silk 24685 and Senior Constable Rodney Miller 29276, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty in 1998.
These games bring together our members, families, veterans, and the community in the spirit of competition, pay tribute to our fallen and raise funds for Victoria Police Legacy.
This year will also feature a minute’s silence for Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and former St Kilda member Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart.
Event Details
Mixed Netball Match
Teams: St Kilda Police Station vs Prahran Police Station
Time: 1100
Location: Peanut Farm Reserve Netball Court
AFL Football Match
Teams: St Kilda Police Station vs Prahran Police Station
Time: 1300
Location: Peanut Farm Reserve
About the Day
The families of Sergeant Silk and Senior Constable Miller will also be joining us for this special day of remembrance with both matches jointly organised in collaboration with The Police Association of Victoria (TPAV) and Victoria Police, with proceeds supporting Victoria Police Legacy.
Spectators Encouraged
All members, veteran members and families are encouraged to come along , show their support, and take part in this important occasion.
The St Kilda City Football Club rooms will be open during and after the match for socialising, providing an opportunity for all to connect and reflect together.
All members are warmly invited to attend two commemorative matches on Tuesday 18 August 2026 honouring the legacy of Sergeant Gary Silk 24685 and Senior Constable Rodney Miller 29276, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty in 1998.

06/08/2026

Who doesn’t love a trivia night!

PVV enjoys has a strong working relationship with VPL with much of our work overlapping in the support of our veterans and their families . This year they are hosting an inaugural trivia night, details below.