[ad_1]
Tributes are coming in for the New Zealand-born officer killed yesterday at a police station in the UK.
Matiu ‘Matt’ Ratana, 54. Source: East Grinstead FC
Since then, a murder investigation has been launched into the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was fatally shot in the chest while conducting a search and testing the suspect for Covid-19.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick described Ratana, 54, as a well-loved rugby fan who was a highly respected leader in the community.
“As a colleague, he was of great stature and great heart, a friendly and capable police officer. A charming man, highly respected by officers and staff, and by the public, including suspects he arrested or treated in custody.”
Ratana also served police in Auckland City and Manukau counties until 2008, before returning to the UK.
“As my counterpart, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, put it this morning, policing is a family,” New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said in a statement this morning.
“Although Sergeant Ratana spent most of his career in the UK, anyone who serves here will always be part of our New Zealand Police whānau.
“We send our condolences to his friends and family here and abroad, and to his colleagues in the Metropolitan Police and across the UK, who will deeply feel this loss today.”
Labor Party leader Jacinda Ardern shared her condolences on Facebook this morning and said New Zealanders shared the pain felt by Matt Ratana’s family.
“It is incredibly sad to hear the news this morning that a Metropolitan Police officer killed in the UK was Matiu Ratana, a former New Zealand Police officer.
“To all Matiu whānau around the world, we share your pain and have all our condolences.”
Additionally, Labor Party police spokesman Stuart Nash said that Ratana’s death marked a sad day for the New Zealand police force.
National Party leader Judith Collins also took to Twitter to pay tribute to her family and former leader Simon Bridges also shared his condolences.
Sheriff Bryan Ward, who had worked with Ratana in New Zealand, described him as a “gentle giant.”
“It is with regret that I remember Sergeant Matiu ‘Matt’ Ratana, 54, Metropolitan Police Service. I worked with Matt at @nzpolice, he was really a gentle giant – Rest easy bro.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also took to social media to share his condolences.
“Sergeant Matt Ratana and his family, friends and loved ones are in the hearts of Londoners in the city tonight.”
The 54-year-old had been described as a highly respected member of the community, known for his passion for rugby.
The local Ratana East Grinstead team, where he had been the head coach, has been “completely devastated.”
Club President Bob Marsh and President Andy Poole shared in a statement that it will take some time for the rugby community to understand what has happened.
“Matt was an inspiring and much loved figure at the club and there really are no words to describe how we feel.”
Matt Ratana High School honored its former student. Source: Palmerston North Boys High School
Palmerston North Boys’ High School also paid tribute to his former student, highlighting his contributions as a school prefect and his exceptional tennis skills.
“It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of the elderly Matt Ratana in London this morning … Matt was a prefect of the school, an outstanding tennis player, the school tennis champion in 1985 and a tennis representative from Manawatu.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Matt’s family and friends at this terribly sad time.”
