$1 Million Bounty for Fugitive Cop Killer Dezi Freeman Sparks Wild West Buzz in Victoria

Saturday, September 6, 2025 – The hunt for accused cop killer Dezi Freeman has taken on a tense new turn after Victoria Police announced a record $1 million reward for his capture. The staggering bounty, the largest in the state’s history, has stirred talk of bush posses and bounty hunters in towns like Porepunkah and Bright, but police are warning the public to stay away.

Freeman, 56, has been on the run since August 26, when he allegedly gunned down Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35. A third officer was also injured.

On Friday, Senior Constable de Waart-Hottart was farewelled at a deeply emotional service at Melbourne’s Police Academy. Senior Constable Thompson will be honored on Monday.

Wild West whispers in high country towns

The Daily Mail reported that some locals had joked about forming a posse and heading into the bush near Mount Buffalo to hunt down Freeman for the cash prize. One group of men was overheard weighing the risks before deciding against it. Another family mentioned the idea in passing but later admitted it was only a joke.

Still, the idea of “bush gold” has created a Wild West-style buzz. Locals have been sharing theories about Freeman’s whereabouts, and some believe the bounty might push someone with knowledge to speak out.

Police warn against vigilantes

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the Homicide Squad gave a stern warning at a press conference: “He has already killed two police members and seriously injured a third. His propensity to use violence has been shown. He is a high risk to the community.”

Thomas stressed that the reward is for Freeman’s capture, not conviction, and that any civilians trying to join the hunt are putting themselves in danger.

“We have highly trained specialist police out there in bushland. We don’t want people mistaken for Freeman and put in a dangerous confrontation,” he said.

More than 450 police officers, backed by the Australian Defence Force, are searching rugged high country terrain for the fugitive.

Locals divided on bounty

Some locals support the million-dollar reward, hoping it speeds up the fugitive’s capture. A store worker in Bright said, “Of course we want Freeman caught as soon as possible. We all got to get on with our lives.”

Others are skeptical. Town recluse Steven Mallett, who was mistakenly raided during the search, told reporters: “Anyone helping him will get shot with him. The money don’t mean nothing. They’re nuts if they try.”

Freeman’s former bush survival instructor, Ray Kompe, who taught him years ago, urged his old acquaintance to surrender.

“Just give yourself up, mate. I know it’s not going to be pleasant behind bars, but life’s too short.”

Still at large

Freeman was last sighted near Porepunkah on August 26. Police are not ruling out the possibility that he may have died in the bush from self-harm, but remain open to “all possibilities.”

For now, the people of Victoria’s high country remain on edge, caught between fear, speculation, and the lure of a million-dollar prize.