Mourners have gathered to honour the life of slain Victoria police officer Vadim de Waart-Hottart. During a moving services, 3,000 people heard of a young man who had the instinct to protect from a young age as his brother paid tribute.

Glen Waverley

Senior Constable Vadim Devar Hotar was farewelled at a funeral service held at the Victoria Police Academy, where he had graduated seven years prior. The event drew approximately 3,000 attendees, including police colleagues, friends, family, police commissioners from across Australia and New Zealand, and the Prime Minister. 

Hotar, remembered for his compassion and adventurous spirit, was killed while on temporary assignment in Porpanka. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star, one of the force's highest honours, in recognition of his service and sacrifice. His family and colleagues paid tribute to his character and dedication, reflecting on his impact within the police force and the broader community.

Thousands attend funeral for police officer killed at Porepunkah

A guard of honour stretching for more than a kilometre, a mark of the utmost respect. 1,000 attendees were expected to attend Senior Constable Vadim Devar Hotar's funeral, three times that number showed up, 3,000 police colleagues, friends and family. Last Tuesday was a shocking and tragic day for family, for Victoria. To try and quantify in words the grief is impossible. The final farewell for fallen officer Vadim Devar Hotar was held at the police academy, the very place he graduated from seven years ago. For those of you that knew my brother, I am so sorry for your loss, because you knew the joy and laughter that he brought into our lives on a daily basis, but I'm even more sorry to those that didn't get to know my brother. A collective grief flowed amongst the ranks of Victoria Police and from all corners of the country, police commissioners from around Australia and even New Zealand travelling for the occasion, as did the Prime Minister, the Senior Constable's parents here from Belgium and his brother from Switzerland. He experienced more happiness in his 34 years on earth than most people would in 100 years. For me, this is maybe my brother reached this quota of happiness. There was barely a dry eye at the academy as he was remembered as a keen traveller and explorer with a deep compassion for people. He joined St Kilda Police Station in 2019, where he worked for three years before joining the public order response team. I quickly observed that Vadim was upbeat, quick-witted, kind, adventurous and worldly. He had this calm confidence about him and sometimes he was unnerving in how unshakable he seemed. He was killed 10 days ago in Porpanka while on temporary assignment, shot in cold blood. Today he was recognised with one of the highest honours, awarded the Victoria Police Star. The Chief Commissioner awards that to officers that have given their lives or been seriously injured in the line of duty. He'll be remembered by Victorians as a man who took his oath to protect all the way to the end. His family, holding dear memories of a boy who loved Batman and who grew up wanting to help others. He was my very own superhero. He was my Batman. And after a week of grey skies and rain, today sunshine finally returned to Melbourne's skies, beaming down on his coffin and highlighting the good after one of the state's darkest days. Because nothing can take away the sunshine that my brother has been to everyone here. Steph Baumgartel, 10 News.

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