De Zoysa was still handcuffed when he shot Sgt Ratana at the Croydon custody block in South London, after being stopped and searched in nearby Norbury and found with seven rounds of ammunition
BBC News
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image copyrightNeil Donohue
image captionMatiu Ratana, known as Matt, has been described as an irreplaceable figure by his rugby club
A memorial to a Met Police officer who was shot in the line of duty has been unveiled at the West Sussex rugby club where he was head coach.
Sgt Matiu Ratana, known as Matt, was killed at Croydon Custody Centre in September.
A memorial silhouette of the 54-year-old was unveiled by his family on Saturday and looks out over the pitches at East Grinstead Rugby Club.
His partner, Su Bushby, said: Matt was a role model, a mentor, a friend.
By Press Association 2021
Sergeant Matt Ratana
A 23-year-old man is due to appear in court charged with the murder of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was shot dead at Croydon Custody Centre last year.
Louis de Zoysa was charged with the killing on Tuesday, having been in hospital in a “stable, non-life-threatening condition” under police guard since the incident on September 25 2020.
New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana died of a gunshot wound to the chest, a post-mortem examination found.
De Zoysa, of Park Road, Banstead, Surrey, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday via video link.
The Met said recent changes to De Zoysa’s medical condition had led to the decision to charge him.
By Press Association 2021
The Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath
The Duke of Cambridge has laid a wreath in memory of a police officer killed in the line of duty.
William left the floral tribute at a memorial bench in honour of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was fatally shot as he prepared to search a handcuffed suspect.
The duke was joined by Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick during his visit to Croydon Custody Centre, where the shooting happened in the early hours of September 25 last year.
As he arrived, the future king told Dame Cressida: “I’ve wanted to come here for a while”, and she replied: “It’s going to mean a lot to people.”
BBC News
Published
image captionPrince William spoke to colleagues of officer Matt Ratana
The Duke of Cambridge has laid a wreath in honour of Met police officer Sgt Matt Ratana, who was killed while on duty last year.
Sgt Ratana was shot in September 2020 as he prepared to search a handcuffed suspect at the Croydon Custody Centre.
Prince William left the flowers at a memorial bench at the centre.
He also spoke privately to Sgt Ratana s partner Su Bushby, and met the force s first wellbeing dog, who is deployed to comfort traumatised staff.
image copyrightMet Police
image captionSgt Ratana and his partner Su Bushby had been together for five years