‘A team player… with a massive heart’
‘Agentle giant’, ‘a big heart’, ‘a father figure’, ‘never afraid to give a big hug’… the tributes to police officer Matt Ratana paint the picture of an amazing man.
A man who inspired, who was valued and loved by family, friends and colleagues alike. A man who lost his life in the line of duty.
Matt, 54, receives his best Hero Award posthumously. He died on 25 September last year. Shot as he searched a handcuffed suspect who had allegedly managed to smuggle a revolver into a custody suite in Croydon, South London.
The suspect, Louis de Zoysa, was taken to hospital and thought to have been harmed during the incident. Matt was pronounced dead at the scene.
The outpouring of love and tributes to Matt were unprecedented.
‘ We’ll take it from here, Chief, rest in peace,’ his team wrote movingly.
‘For years, this man, this skipper, this hero was the centrepiece of community policing in Hackney. He shaped the lives of many. Be that victims, suspects or colleagues. Sgt Ratana – you were the best,’ said another heartfelt message from the men and women who had worked alongside him.
The next day, Dame Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, made an official tribute, saying, ‘Matt was a great police officer. He was a fine skipper – our word for a sergeant – and a lovely man with a ready smile, and a big heart.’
By all accounts, Matt relished his job as an officer making the streets a safer place for 30 years – mostly in Hackney, East London.
Originally from New Zealand, Matt joined the police force in 1991, leaving Britain briefly between 2003 and 2008 to return to his homeland, where he also served as an officer.
On the brink of retiring, he apparently
planned to pop the question to his partner of five years, Sue Bushby, then 44.
But there was so much more to this man than a decorated police officer (in 2017 he was awarded a long service medal). His first love was rugby. He’d fallen in love with the sport as a youngster in New Zealand and was passionate about the All Blacks. When he moved to the UK, he played as a ‘prop’ for the London Irish amateur team, before turning his hand to coaching – supporting and cultivating young and adult players. ‘He did it on a voluntary basis, but he was absolutely dedicated… always wanting to help people and treated them, regardless of their age, with respect,’ says Ryan Morlen, who Matt had brought on board as assistant head coach.
Matt rose to head coach at East Grinstead Rugby and Football Club and, since his passing, was nominated for – and won – the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award 2020 for his contribution to rugby. When the news of his death was heard in New Zealand, his former police family performed a Haka. (A Haka is the traditional dance of the Maori people adopted by the All Blacks and familiar at the beginning of international matches.) Macho and proud – this dance could really be described as an outpouring of love…
A friend who feels the loss especially keenly is Neil Donohue, who spoke alongside Ryan at Matt’s funeral and owns the South Coast Gym where Matt used to train.
‘Matt always had a smile on his face and a bit of a rebellious streak,’ says Neil. ‘He had an aura about him that commanded respect and he treated others how he would like to be treated himself. He never made anyone feel stupid or naïve – and he wasn’t afraid to give people huge hugs!
‘He had a massive heart and was quite a character. I remember one of the young lads at the gym having a down day and moaning about his work situation. Matt grabbed him, put him in a headlock and ruffled his hair, before making the lad believe he would be the CEO of a top company in the next few years.’
Whilst the police sergeant liked to keep his personal life private, he leaves behind a grown-up son in New Zealand and his loving partner, Sue.
Sue says: ‘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.’
Ryan agrees. ‘Everyone painted the same picture of this incredible guy, who treated everybody the same and who had such patience. I hope we can continue his legacy and make him proud. No one can be Matt.
‘He touched many people’s lives with his patience and kindness’
He’s irreplaceable.’
We thank you for your service to your adopted country, Matt, and for touching the lives of so many people.