Sgt Matt Ratana: Memorial for police officer shot dead on duty

A memorial service for police officer Matiu Ratana who was shot dead while on duty has been held in Westminster.

Sgt Ratana, known as Matt to his colleagues, was shot at Croydon Custody Centre in south London on September 25, 2020, and later died in hospital, aged 54.

Police officers, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joined Sgt Ratana’s partner Su Bushby to pay tribute at the memorial service for the New Zealand-born officer, who was also head coach at East Grinstead Rugby Club.

A funeral was held last November but was subject to pandemic restrictions.

Guests gathered at the Royal Military Chapel, in Westminster, known as the Guards Chapel, and uniformed officers lined Horseguards Road and Birdcage Walk.

Detention and Croydon borough sergeants formed a guard of honour outside the chapel, to pay tribute to Sgt Ratana’s 29 years of service as a police officer.

His colleagues, including officers from the dog unit, mounted branch, and the borough of Croydon, were in attendance at the event, held on Monday, November 29.

While five puppies making up the ‘Ratana Litter’, named in his honour by Ms Bushby, and their handlers were stationed outside the chapel.

Named Carter Matiu, Jonah, Blu, Koru and Whanau, meaning ‘family’ in Maori, they are expected to be trained as police dogs, commencing in May 2022.

The service at 11.30am was led by Reverend Prebendary Jonathon Osborne and included readings and tributes, including a Maori hymn sung by Ngati Ranana – a New Zealand cultural group.

Ms Bushby was also formally handed a hat and gloves as part of the service at the chapel.

Cressida Dick said: “When Matt was sadly taken away from us, Covid-19 meant we weren’t able to mark his death with a force funeral in the way we would have wished afterwards.

“We promised at the time that when restrictions weren’t in place we would arrange a special memorial service that would allow us all to come together in Matt’s memory, and I am delighted that today, we can finally honour that promise by gathering to pay him tribute.

“Matt has very much been in our thoughts over the last year, both as we grieved for him, but also as we planned for this special day where we will remember and give thanks for his life.

“As with all our fallen colleagues, we will never forget Matt and we will continue to honour his legacy, which will live on through his family, his many friends and colleagues in the Met, in his rugby foundation and beyond.”