The senior police officer stabbed by an alleged child sex offender during a violent confrontation in Sydney's east has regained consciousness and communicated with his family.

Detective Sergeant John Breda, 45, was stabbed in the stomach while attempting to arrest Nick Newman in Maroubra Junction Hotel's beer garden on Friday.

He remains in a serious but stable condition in St Vincent's Hospital, where he had emergency surgery three days ago to repair internal abdominal injuries and a laceration to his liver.

New South Wales Police Commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said his condition had improved.

"This morning he opened his eyes and partially communicated with his family," he said yesterday.

"But it's a serious injury and he's certainly not out of the woods yet. He's certainly got a long way to go and it's a day-by-day process."

Anzac Parade was closed on Australia Day after Detective Sergeant Breda was stabbed. ( ABC News: Nour Haydar )

The ABC understands Detective Sergeant Breda was placed under heavy sedation after he woke up.

Detective Sergeant Breda was one of three officers who were there to arrest Newman as part of an investigation with the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Division.

Witnesses reported hearing "four of five gun shots" as Newman was shot by the two other officers at about 3.25pm at the hotel on Anzac Parade after he stabbed Detective Sergeant Breda.

He died at the scene.

Newman was wanted over a series of child sex charges which were never tested in court.

The ABC's 7.30 interviewed Detective Sergeant Breda when it was given exclusive access to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes (CASC) squad in June 2017.

He has previously worked in the Property Crime Squad and the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad but he told the ABC his work in the CASC squad was unique and rewarding.