Partner of murdered police officer Matt Ratana pays tribute to 'gentle giant'

The partner of murdered police officer Sergeant Matt Ratana has paid tribute to him calling him a "gentle giant".

Louis De Zoysa has been found guilty of shooting Sergeant Ratana in the chest while handcuffed during a search at the police station in Croydon in the early hours of 25 September 2020.

Su Bushby paid an emotional tribute to her partner.

Speaking in her first press conference outside Northampton Crown Court, she described him as her “gentle giant” and said “he will never be forgotten”.

She said: “Today is about justice for Matt. His life was taken too soon in the line of duty doing a job that he loved – a cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others.

“Whilst the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues.

“My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. He will never be forgotten.”

• Su Bushby paid an emotional tribute to her partner.

Luke Ratana, Matt Ratana’s son, who is a police officer in Australia, said: “Today, my father’s murderer has been convicted and I would like to acknowledge the suffering that has been caused to the people who knew my father.

“I would like to pay tribute to his colleagues who were with him on the night he died and showed extraordinary bravery.

“Although I do not know you, I hope this result can help you to all achieve a sense of closure and a small measure of peace.

“I am deeply grateful for the tireless and diligent work of the Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn and his team. This case has been unique in its challenges and complexity.

“Above all, it was an endeavour to bring closure for the family and friends of one of their own.

“Finally I would like to pay special thanks to Vanessa Ostrowski and Neil Perkin who have supported me over these difficult years as my Met Police family liaison officers.

“My family and I would like to request that our privacy be respected during this difficult time. Thank you.”

Diane Peachey and Jessica Williams, Matt Ratana's stepmother and stepsister in New Zealand added: "We are very thankful for all the hard work, time and effort that the Met police has gone to in order to achieve this outcome.

"We would like to thank our New Zealand support, Niall (NZ Police Liaison Officer) and Lindy (Victim Support) for helping us through the ups and downs of the past few years."

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has also paid tribute to “outstanding” Matt Ratana who “made an enduring impact wherever he went”.

Speaking at a press conference outside Northampton Crown Court, he said: “Matt dedicated 30 years of his life to policing and he was nearing retirement when he was tragically murdered.

“He was an outstanding officer who brought joy to his work. He treated everyone with respect, with compassion and with good humour.

“Whether it was on the streets or in the custody centre, as a uniformed police officer, on the rugby field or later as a coach, it’s clear that he was someone who made an enduring impact wherever he went.

“We will ensure that he’s never forgotten.”

• Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley

Sir Mark Rowley said he was “inspired by the strength” of Su Bushby in the wake of Mr Ratana's death.

He said: “I first met Su in my first week as Commissioner when I visited Croydon to pay my respects to Matt on the anniversary of his murder.

“I’m inspired by the strength she showed then and more so by the strength she shows here today.

“I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for her and for all of Matt’s family and friends.”

Sir Mark Rowley said he believes “more lives would certainly have been lost” without the courage of officers on duty the night Mr Ratana was murdered by Louis De Zoysa inside a custody block in Croydon.

He said: “Officers never have a perfect picture of what awaits them at the next incident.

“Every day for example, we take several firearms off the streets of London and the vast majority of those are seized in routine police work by unarmed officers.

"The men and women in policing daily stepping forward into uncertainty and risk are truly remarkable and deserve our admiration.

“The officers and staff on duty the night Matt was murdered show just those attributes.

“Without their courage, I believe that more lives would certainly have been lost.

“I’m immensely proud of their professionalism and their bravery. They have my enduring admiration and my full support.”