Kiwi Police officer, Matt Ratana, shot dead in line of duty in United Kingdom
London: A murder investigation has been launched after a New Zealand-born Police officer was shot dead in England.
Sergeant Matiu Ratana, known as Matt, was killed by a man who was being detained in Croydon, South London.
It’s understood the suspect was being searched and given a COVID-19 test, before allegedly producing a weapon and firing at Ratana in the chest before turning the gun on himself.
Ratana, 54, was treated at the scene but later died in hospital of gunshot wounds. His death has sent shockwaves through the policing community.
“We are all deeply shocked and saddened. The Met Policing is a family, within London and across the United Kingdom, and today we are all mourning a great loss,” Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said.
“I have visited and spoken to our officer’s partner together with other colleagues. We are giving her the best support we can. My heartfelt condolences go to her, their family,” she added
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to social media to tweet his condolences. Ratana was only a few weeks from retirement. Originally from Hawkes Bay, he was educated at Palmerston North Boys’ High School and had a passion for rugby. At Otago University he played club rugby for Ravensbourne RFC in the Dunedin premiership competition.
In 1989 he travelled to the UK where he played for London Irish RFC and over the years played for a number of West London clubs before becoming head coach for East Grinstead RFC.
A Linkedin profile shows Ratana was a graduate from Massey University.