Memorial stone unveiled for police officer shot dead

The stone bearing Sgt Matiu Ratana's name was unveiled in the public area outside Croydon Custody Centre

A memorial stone has been unveiled in honour of a Metropolitan Police officer who was shot dead by a handcuffed man at a south London custody centre.

Sgt Matiu Ratana, 54, who had been in the police for almost 30 years, was killed in Croydon in September 2020.

Louis De Zoysa is serving a whole-life term for his murder.

Sgt Ratana’s partner Su Bushby, who was at the unveiling of the memorial stone in Croydon, said the New Zealand-born sergeant had died "doing the job he loved so much".

Keen rugby coach Sgt Ratana, known as Matt, had been in the police for almost 30 years

Ms Bushby attended the unveiling ceremony with Sgt Ratana's son Luke, a serving police officer in Australia.

She said Sgt Ratana, known as Matt, "exemplified strength, dedication and leadership".

A Māori choir performed at the ceremony, alongside the British Police Symphony Orchestra, in recognition of the officer's New Zealand roots.

Su Bushby, Sgt Ratana's partner, laid a wreath and said he died "doing the job he loved"

The stone, commissioned by the Police Memorial Trust, was erected in the public area outside the custody centre on Windmill Road, Croydon.

Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Met, said Sgt Ratana "was prepared to put himself at risk and paid the ultimate sacrifice".

"He worked tirelessly to keep communities safe in London and indeed in New Zealand," he said.

"The impact of Matt's death reverberated across UK and world not least because of his global connections."

Sgt Ratana's son Luke, a police officer in Australia, attended the ceremony alongside commissioner of the Met, Sir Mark Rowley

Messages of condolence were left on wreaths during the unveiling of memorial stone

Sgt Ratana was a rugby coach and a foundation set up in his name was also represented.

The foundation said: "He spoke passionately on the importance of ‘Whānau’, the sacred Māori concept of family and community.

"He was fiercely committed and inclusive, engaging wholeheartedly with everyone he met, and encouraging all ages to embrace the supportive welcome of the rugby family."

A Haka was performed in recognition of Sgt Ratana's New Zealand roots

De Zoysa had a gun hidden in a holster that officers had not discovered when searching him when he was booked into the custody centre.

Sgt Ratana was hit by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa.

A second bullet struck him in his thigh before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers.

Sgt Ratana died of his injuries in hospital.

De Zoysa was found guilty of murder in June 2023 and sentenced to a whole-life term.