Today, hundreds of Met Police officers lined London’s streets to honor the memory of slain Sergeant Matt Ratana.
Home Secretary Priti Patel, Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were among those present at the service in memory of Sgt Ratana, who was fatally shot by a suspect inside Croydon Custody Centre in September last year.
Ms Patel, Dame Cressida-Ms Patel had a brief exchange with Su Bushby, Sgt Ratana’s partner at the National Police Memorial just near the Mall.
They walked together through a special Guard of Honour’ along Horse Guards Road, Birdcage Walk and towards the Royal Military Chapel also known as The Guard’s Chapel.
Specially invited guests were invited for a memorial service in his memory. He had been a decorated 29-year veteran of the force. At the time of his passing, he was planning on retiring.
Today hundreds of Met Police officers gathered in London to remember Matt Ratana, a former cop.
Priti Patel (Home Secretary), Dame Cressida Dixon, Met Police Commissioner, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and Su Busby, Sgt Ratana’s partner, were all present at the memorial service for Sgt Ratana. Sgt Ratana was shot in Croydon Custody Centre on September 30th last year.
They walked together through a special Guard of Honour’, along Horse Guards Road. Then they walked towards the Royal Military Chapel. Also known as the Guard’s Chapel. Pictured: Police officers walk ahead of a memorial service for former officer Matt Ratana
To honor the 56-year-old Guards Chapel (pictured), special invited guests were invited to the Royal Military Chapel in Westminster.
The chapel was visited by a number of puppy police officers, which were petted by Ms Bushby in memory of Sgt Ratana (New Zealand born).
Ms Patel replied, “Good morning, how is it?” Ms. Patel said, “Good morning, how are you?” before she began to pet the puppies.
When Ms Bushby and Commissioner visited the Met Police Dog Training Establishment, earlier in the year, the German shepherds were named.
They are called Carter, Matiu (Jonah), Blu, Koru, Koru, and Whanau. In Maori, the word whanau is family. Matiu was also Sgt Ratana’s first name.
Members of the clergy hugged Ms Bushby outside the chapel – Reverend David Crees from London, District Chaplain, Reverend Jonathan Osborne, Senior Chaplain at the Met, and Archdeacon Jo-Kelly Moore.
Inside the chapel, Reverend Osborne led the hour-long service, featuring hymns and readings.
Police officers marche to the memorial service for Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana.
For the occasion, hundreds of officers from police attended, many in full-black ceremonial uniforms, to pay respects to Stg Ratana.
As part of the service to remember Matt Ratana (an ex-officer who was killed in Croydon Police Station) police officers form a line of protection along the street.
The couple petted the puppies of a group of police dogs that Ms Bushby had named after Sgt Ratana, a New Zealander. Ms Patel replied, “Good Morning, How are you?” Ms. Patel said, “Good morning, how are you?” before she began to pet the puppies.
It also featured tributes, including from those representing Sgt Ratana’s different passions outside of policing – rugby and motor biking.
Ngati Ranana a New Zealand cultural group, sang a Maori song. Many colleagues representing many police departments, including Croydon borough and the mounted branch of the canine unit, were in the chapel.
Dame Cressida stated: ‘When Matt died, Covid-19 meant that we were unable to hold a force funeral the way we wanted to.
“We made a promise at that time to arrange special funeral services that would enable us to all come together in Matt’s memory. I’m delighted to finally honor that promise today by coming together to pay our respects to him.
“Matt” has been in our thoughts for the past year as we mourned him and also planned for this special day when we will give thanks for his existence.
Horse Guards Road will be lined up by police officers ahead of the memorial service for Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana.
Horse Guards Road is lined with police officers as they prepare for a memorial service in memory of the 54-year old sergeant who was fatally shot while preparing to check a suspect in handcuffs at Croydon’s Police Station.
There were around 200 officers who had lined Horse Guards Road before they reached the Birdcage Walk that leads to the chapel, where Sgt Ratana’s memorial service was held.
“There will be sorrow and reflection, but there will also be celebration and joy for the many lives that he touched, and the positive attitude and dedication with which they served.
An estimated 200 officers were present along the Horse Guards Road, Birdcage Walk and up to the chapel for the Sgt Ratana memorial service.
All officers were dressed in black ceremonial uniforms, with white gloves and helmets.
This service took place just over one year after Sgt Ratana, south London’s, was gunned down in a Croydon custody room on September 25, 2020. His injuries caused him to die later.
Last year’s Covid-19 restrictions prevented plans from being made for an all-force funeral.
Louis de Zoysa (23), Banstead, Surrey, was arrested for the murder of Sgt Ratan and also possession of a gun and ammunition.
De Zoysa responded ‘Yeah!’ to a question about his identity in September during an Old Bailey hearing. The Old Bailey will hold a review hearing in December.