Inspiring Reporter Behind Dezi Freeman Shooting Scoop

For Seven News reporter Cassie Zervos, breaking national stories is all in a day's work.

But she went above and beyond to bring Australians the news that notorious cop-killer fugitive Dezi Freeman had been shot dead this week.

The network broke the news on Monday and Cassie, 34, was first on the scene. However, she did it all while on maternity leave.

Sunrise host took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to praise Cassie's efforts.

Sharing a photo of Cassie at the scene, Natalie wrote: 'Australia heard the Dezi Freeman news from this reporter @cassiezervos who broke the story, while on maternity leave, handing her baby to her mum for the day while she headed to the bush to finish what she started months ago.'

Natalie had reshared a post by fellow Seven News reporter Laura Turner, who also praised Cassie for her tenacity.     

'Hats off to Crime reporter Queen @cassiezervos. Yesterday she broke the nation-wide exclusive that cop killer Dezi Freeman had been shot dead,' she wrote. 

'She did it while on maternity leave, handing her baby to her mum and hotfooting it to the bush to lead @7newsmelbourne @7newsaustralia coverage.'

'She is incredible, tenacious and what's more, humble. Her grit and dedication to our craft is an inspiration.'

Laura's post was met with a flurry of comments commending her colleague, including Cassie, who replied with a modest: 'Oh beautiful girl – I'm blushing! Thank you xx.'

One commenter summed up the sentiment with: 'I was thinking – hasn't she just had a baby?!?!? What a woman!' 

He was on the run for seven months after he shot dead two officers and injured a third while they were serving a warrant at his Porepunkah property in Victoria. 

The manhunt for Freeman became one of the biggest police operations in the country, with officers scouring bushland and offering a $1million reward