'I did what I had to do': Dad hailed a hero after taking on burglar who later died

A Melbourne man who caused the death of a burglar during a violent home invasion had said he'd do it again, if it meant protecting his family, property and friends.

Russell Harrison has now been cleared of any wrongdoing, but had been charged with murder, after running to his neighbour's aid in Frankston, in December 2015.

The father of three had been with his family when he heard screaming from next door.

"I opened the door and saw this huge guy pinning my neighbour against the wall by her throat,” Mr Harrison told A Current Affair.

"She screamed 'Help me Russell'. He took off, I told her to run, and followed him."

The intruder was convicted burglar Adam Slomzewski, a 44-year-old drug addict, and ex-prisoner.

Mr Harrison confronted Slomzweski, trying to hold him until police arrived.

"He got me on the ground and actually put his hands around my throat and started strangling me. That's when I reverted back to my military training and got him off of me, and put him into a sleeper hold" Mr Harrison said.

State Coroner Sarah Hinchey found Slomczewski died from "cardiac arrhythmia in the setting of struggle, neck compression and amphetamine use".

Mr Harrison almost certainly saved his neighbour's life - she suffered serious injuries during the home invasion.

Mr Harrison's wife, Karen, developed extreme PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) following the incident, and the family has to undergo regular counselling.

"Give me an issue, a physical issue, mechanical, whatever, I'll find a solution. I don't know how to fix this issue. I can't protect my family from a mental issue and that's my biggest frustration."

Despite the heavy impact of the ordeal, Mr Harrison said he'd do it again in a "heartbeat" if his family, or friends, were in danger.

"It's never good to take a life but the fact of the matter is he had every intention to take my neighbour's life as well as mine.

“So I did what I had to do. Would I do it again? By all means."