There was barely a dry eye in sight.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson’s coffin was carried by six of his beloved past and present colleagues at Wangaratta’s Criminal Investigation Unit following a deeply emotional service at Victoria Police Academy’s chapel on Monday.

Around 3000 mourners, many coming in droves from Wangaratta, Wodonga and Benalla police, packed in the chapel, with nearly 3000 others watching online.

The three theatres used to accommodate the large crowd for Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart on Friday were kept open to spread the number of mourners.

Det Led Sen Const Thompson was taken outside by the Wangaratta detectives, walking arm-in-arm, before being driven down View Mount Road in front of a police guard of honour stretching kilometres long.

Det Led Sen Const Thompson, 59, was killed alongside Sen Const de Waart-Hottart at a rural property in Porepunkah on Tuesday, 26 August as a group of 10 police officers served a warrant.

Many dignitaries present at Friday’s funeral returned for the service on Monday, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Jacinta Allan and police commissioners from across the country and New Zealand.

Also present was the third police officer shot and seriously injured during the Porepunkah shooting.

Det Led Sen Const Thompson was due to finish his final shift on Friday, 5 September, but right up until then, ‘Thommo’ gave his all, and he died doing what he devoted his life to, protecting the community.

Holding back tears, partner of the past six years and the love of his life, Sergeant Lisa Thompson, spoke of the unimaginable loss words could not convey.

“Neal had the ability to make everyone feel like they were the centre of his world... his plans for the future were built squarely on the adventures he wanted to have with you,” she said.

“Through it all he taught me how to love without fear and how to be brave when I’m scared.

“I don’t want to live life without you and I don’t want to finish our dreams on my own.

“But I will, I will be brave, and I will cherish every moment I spent with you.”

Sgt Thompson said she met the love of her life in 2016, hearing the tall tales of a man who simply loved fishing, hunting and the outdoors during a "life-changing" eight-hour shift.

“I have never laughed so much with someone who I had just met,” she said.

"We were opposites in every way, but together we were unstoppable.

"Neal was an incredible man who I was privileged to build a life with."

He had built a new home, with a long list of tasks planned after he knocked off work for the last time.

Sgt Thompson recalled the final weekend she had spent with Neal working on the new farm, which she said would also be her best weekend with him.

'Thommo', as he was affectionately known by many, joined Victoria Police in September 1987 and spent seven years in general duties at Collingwood.

For the next decade, he worked as a detective at the Major Fraud Squad and the State Crime Squad, before finding a home in Wangaratta.

Former Wangaratta detective Paul Campbell said when Thommo arrived at Wangaratta in 2007, the team were told “the new guy” would be bringing new and innovative policing ideas from the city with him.

“He did bring something, introduced the office to all the cafes,” he said.

“He made coming to work a pleasure, we all wanted to hear his latest adventures.

“Neal was a valuable operation member of the unit, he always stood up on the big occasions.”

Often in his signature trench coat, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Thommo became a permanent fixture and part of the Wangaratta law enforcement landscape and community, held in high regard as a colleague, confidant and a comedian.

Chief Commissioner Bush posthumously awarded the late detective with the Victoria Police Star, along with the National Police Service Medal, National Medal and Victoria Police Service Medal.

Reading the record of service Detective Senior Constable Tim Doyle said Thommo became the encyclopedia on crime in the local area and made work a pleasure for the close, tight-knit CIU.

“We love Thommo, his retirement was going to leave a large hole in our office, and his loss has left a big hole in our heart,” he said.

“We all miss you mate, and you will not be forgotten.”

Detective Sergeant Chris Hill ended the service with a touching reading of the Police Ode.

Sisters Lois Kirk and Dianne Thompson and cousin Brian Norris spoke of Thommo’s adventurous upbringing in the Bendigo area.

Ms Kirk said it was Thommo’s dream to go to England and play soccer, but he always wanted to join the police force.

“He was lucky to have two families, a police family and ours,” she said.

“You were the golden boy; the adventurer, the protector.

“You were our big brother; you will always be our big brother.”

Longtime friends and colleagues Jason Williams and Dirk Wendt from Melbourne spoke of their adventures around Thommo’s calendar of fishing and hunting.

Mr Williams compared his mate’s adventures to the likes of Steve Irwin, often crawling through crocodile infested waters for the perfect catch.

But he said a Russell Coight-like misadventure was never too far away.

“Once a friend of Thommo, you’re a friend for life,” he said.

“We all took the risks, some lost some skin, but no one would ever want a single minute back.”

Mr Wendt spoke of Thommo’s deep connection with his late dog, Jimmy, who would always be with Thommo at local cafes with an extra order of croissants or egg and bacon muffin for Jimmy.

While not having kids of his own, he treated those of close friends like they were his, particularly as step-father for Lisa’s children, who he adored.

Thommo was a life-long Essendon fan, sometimes delusional about their future prospects according to his mates.

A Bomber themed wreath laid on display as the Essendon theme song was heard across the chapel prior to the service.

The service was led by Victoria Police Senior Chaplain Drew Mellor with the prayer being led by Wangaratta Police Chaplain Steve Van der Poel.

Sen Const de Waart-Hottart was also farewelled last Friday with full police honours and his parents Carolina and Alain were present for the service on Monday.