Memorial to be held for Met Police officer Matt Ratana shot dead a year ago

Colleagues of a Met Police officer who was fatally shot a year ago will get the chance to say a final farewell.

A special memorial service for Sergeant Matiu “Matt” Ratana is to be held on Monday, November 29, MyLondon reports.

On September 25, 2020, the 54-year-old sergeant was preparing to search a handcuffed man at a South London custody centre in Croydon.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the memorial service “would allow us to come together in Matt’s memory” as the force is still grieving for Sgt Ratana and wants to celebrate his life.

A minute’s silence will be held on Saturday, the one-year anniversary of his death, at 11am.

This will allow Metropolitan Police staff and officers to take a moment of silence on Saturday, the one-year anniversary of his death.



Sergeant Matt Ratana
Sergeant Matt Ratana was fatally shot in the chest

After his death New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana, who was also a rugby coach, was described as a “gentle giant” by his partner Su Bushby.

Dame Cressida said: “Matt has very much been in our thoughts over the last year, both as we grieve for him, but also as we celebrate his life.

“His legacy lives on with his family and friends from the Met, rugby, and beyond.

“When Matt was killed, Covid-19 meant the Met weren’t able to mark his death with a force funeral in the way that we would have wished to.



Matt Ratana and partner
Police colleagues will pay their respects on Sunday

“I said at the time that when restrictions were no longer in place, we would hold a full memorial service that would allow us to come together in Matt’s memory.”

Sgt Ratana, a coach at East Grinstead Rugby Club, had worked in the Met Police for nearly 30 years and served in a number of London boroughs and teams before transferring in 2015 to Croydon, where he was a custody sergeant.

Sgt Ratana will be honoured at the National Police Memorial Day in Lincoln on Sunday alongside other officers who were killed or died while on duty.

Dame Cressida added: “For many people the anniversary of Matt’s murder and National Police Memorial Day will be a time of particular sadness and reflection but we will never forget all our fallen colleagues and will remember and honour them forever.”

She will be joined by senior chaplain Jonathan Osbourne at Sunday’s Memorial Day event.



Flowers outside Croydon Custody Centre in south London
Flowers outside Croydon Custody Centre in south London where Matt was shot

Louis De Zoysa, 24, has been charged with Sgt Ratana’s murder.

At a short hearing at the Old Bailey earlier in the month, he was said not to have a fixed address.

During the alleged incident, he is accused of firing four shots from a Croydon Custody Centre holding cell. He was also hurt.

The court heard that Sgt Ratana was hit in the chest by the first bullet, which caused a fatal injury. Ratana was also struck in the leg.

To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Latest News

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here