Partner of Sergeant Matt Ratana pays tribute to 'gentle giant'

28 September 2020, 16:35 | Updated: 28 September 2020, 16:49

Sergeant Matt Ratana was killed by a suspect in police custody
Sergeant Matt Ratana was killed by a suspect in police custody. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

The partner of police officer Matt Ratana, who was killed in Croydon, has paid tribute to her "gentle giant" and said he will "never be forgotten".

Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, died after being shot by a suspect being held in the custody suite.

On Monday, his partner of six years Su Bushby has paid tribute him, calling the sergeant her "soulmate".

“There aren’t really any words for how I am feeling right now about the loss of Matt; about losing someone I loved and was so close to in such a tragic manner," she said.

“I know Matt touched many, many people’s lives with his friendliness, patience, kindness, enthusiasm and caring ways.

“I had the pleasure of sharing five years of my life with this lovely man - my gentle giant, with his infectious smile and big heart. I think of him with tenderness and love.

“Matt was my partner, friend, confidant, support and soul mate.

“He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Matt will always be in my head and in my heart."

Croydon North MP Steve Reed says police officer's death 'hurts immensely'

Also on Monday, Sergeant Ratana's colleagues paid a touching tribute to him by buying a McDonald's breakfast and saving a chair for what should have been a shift together.

Sergeant Richard Lovelock said that although the gesture was "daft", it was inspired by a "touching moment" that had helped the team come to terms with Sgt Ratana's death.

Sgt Lovelock posted a picture of the breakfast, which was accompanied by an All Blacks Rugby shirt, in honour of Sgt Ratana's background and enthusiasm for the sport.

"Matt was one of those familiar faces, he certainly wasn't frightened of doing the overtime and he wasn't frightened to travel," Sgt Lovelock said.

Read more: 'Respect for emergency workers gone' says Lissie Harper in wake of Sgt Ratana shooting

"He should have been on shift with me today and yesterday as well and so it was quite sad really, turning up to work and knowing that he should have been there and he wasn't.

"My colleague Chris got him the breakfast because Matt, being the type of guy he was, bought him one when he was last in and said 'don't worry, sort me out next time'.

"They're quits now.

"I know it sounds daft but it's just those touching little moments that have helped us all through yesterday and today."

Tributes have been paid to Matt Ratana
Tributes have been paid to Matt Ratana. Picture: PA

It comes after Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle invited members to pay their respects in a minute's silence in the House of Commons on Monday.

He said: “I am sure all honourable members will wish to join me in paying their respects to Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was killed in the course of duty on Friday, and sending our condolences to his family.

“Yesterday was National Police Memorial Day, and I ask all honourable members to stand and observe a minute’s silence to mark that occasion and to remember Matt Ratana.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said he was an "extraordinary person" who was "very good at his job".

She said his "terrible" death might bring home to people the challenges of police work, helping them to "see us police as who we are - human beings, going to work to help people, to support people and to protect people".

She added: "Matt was the epitome of that."

Friends and teammates gathered in silence in East Grinstead to pay their respects as the club flag was flown alongside the New Zealand flag and an All Blacks rugby team flag to honour Sgt Ratana's love of the sport and his roots.

Police have previously said they are working with a "determination to find justice for our colleague and his family".

A man is currently being held and questioned on suspicion of supplying a firearm at a south London police station in connection with Sgt Ratana's death.

The suspect for the shooting - widely reported to be 23-year-old Louis De Zoysa - has not yet been spoken to by investigators due to his condition.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Philippines US Blinken

US has ‘ironclad commitment’ to defend Philippines, says Blinken

Police are hoping to find Ruby (left) and Lacey (right)

Police issue urgent appeal for missing 13-year-old girls thought to be in London

The boyfriend of tennis ace Aryna Sabalenka has died aged 42

Former NHL player boyfriend of tennis star and Australian Open champ Aryna Sabalenka dies suddenly aged 42

Who is Aaron Taylor-Johnson?

Who is Aaron Taylor-Johnson the man expected to become James Bond and what films has he been in?

Australia Cyber Safety

Google, Meta and others face questions in Australia over cyber extremism threats

Police were called to Harrow Road, Wollaton, Nottingham, on the evening on 14 March

Man, 27, charged with attempted murder after man and woman stabbed at home in Nottingham

People-Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez divorce after nearly three years

Kate and William were pictured visiting a farm shop in Windsor together

'Remarkable' Princess of Wales deserves privacy as she recovers, minister says as video emerges of farm shop trip

Japan Economy

Japanese central bank raises interest rate for first time in 17 years

Exclusive
The incident happened at the Harbour

Police refuse to investigate NHS worker who filmed and shared video of naked patient

The new football regulator is set to be introduced

Football regulator to 'put fan voices front and centre', but Premier League warns against 'weakening competition'

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is said to have been chosen as the new James Bond actor

Aaron Taylor-Johnson 'chosen as new James Bond', with actor 'to sign deal to take over from Daniel Craig this week'

File photo of a dentist

Hardly any dentists think government's plan to fix NHS dentistry will work, survey finds

The Queen alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Revealed: Princess of Wales' photo of Queen Elizabeth II, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was also edited

United Nations Nuclear Weapons

US and Japan seek UN resolution banning nuclear weapons in outer space

Keir Starmer has doubled down on his calls for an election as soon as possible

Keir Starmer vows to 'fix broken Britain' as he repeats calls for general election as soon as possible