Messages of condolence
From all of us at the Met, we would like to thank you all for your messages of support and condolence to the family and colleagues of Sergeant Matt Ratana.
Some of the messages sent to us:
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Matt Ratana on your tragic loss.
Kevin Bonnici
New Zealand Honorary Consul in Malta
Sending love and heartfelt condolences to your family, friends and colleagues. I'm so sorry for your loss and hope that you will find some comfort in the wonderful memories you must have.
Esther Richardson
Leicestershire Police
Sending my deepest condolences.
Such a brave man and seemed so respected by his family, friends and colleagues.
PCSO Maria ELIAS
South Wales Police
Everyday we put on our uniform and go out we know there is always that risk to ourselves and our colleagues. It take a true hero to do that day after day and put in the sort of service PS Ratana did. My deepest condolence to his family both blood and blue.
Jonathan
West Yorkshire Police
Sending much love and prayers at this sad time.
We may be in separate Forces around the UK, but we are all united by the Job that we do. The tragic and awful loss of a much loved Colleague like Sgt Ratana touches us all as a Police Family.
Another Angel in Heaven taken far to soon.
PC 1862 Maggie Evans, South Wales Police.
As I observe a minutes silence today for Sergeant Matt Ratana I am reflecting with deepest sorrow at the loss of a fallen colleague and offering prayers for his devastated family and friends. Words are not enough in such a time. I hope the out pouring of love towards his family offers a small shred of comfort to his loved ones and friends as they navigate a bitter time of adjusting to his loss.
Gone but not forgotten by the police family nationally! x
With heart felt sorrow for a member of the Metropolitan Police.
Thinking of his family/friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
Mary P
Community Safety
Western Division
South Wales Police
I never met Ps Ratana but I was devastated to hear of the death of such an inspirational man, who had so obviously made a huge, positive impression on the lives of so many people. My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues at such a sad time.
Joy Nicholls
(Retired Police Officer - now serving as CRTA for South Wales Police)
Rest easy, brother. Your work here is done and you leave a wonderful legacy behind you.
Sending my deepest condolences.
Such a brave man and seemed so respected by his family, friends and colleagues.
PCSO Olivia Dutton, Leicestershire Police Constabulary
On behalf of everybody at Cleveland Police, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Matt's family, friends and colleagues. The loss of an officer is keenly felt by the whole policing family and indeed the wider community.
The outpouring of grief over the course of the last week is a testament to the impact Matt had on those that loved him and served with him. We will remember him.
Wish deepest sympathy
Richard Lewis
Chief Constable, Cleveland Police
Your message: My heart goes out to you. I never knew Matt but his death has hit me hard as he was 'one of our family'. May he rest in peace. My prayers and thoughts are with you at the extremely difficult time.
PC Nicky Proud
Your message: I had the great pleasure of working with Matt on several occasions at both Walworth and Brixton custody suites. He was a gentle giant and a true gentleman..........which always began with you are the Rugby Bloke, as this is how we started talking all things rugby as soon as he find out we had a mutual love of the game.
You will be missed and am glad I had the Honour of working with such a great Man and brilliant Copper!!!!
My thoughts are with your Family and friends at this time.
Much Love Ian Jeffrey, Team 3 Walworth.
RIP Big Man xxxxxxxx
Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui a Tane.
Moe mai ra e hoa.
Arohanui Matt, the life you lived made a huge difference to a countless number of people. Rest in peace bro, from a fellow kiwi in the UK.
I had the great pleasure of working with Matt at Hackney and my abiding memory is of him always smiling, a big beaming smile which made you feel good no matter what type of day you were having. If he wasn't in uniform he was in a rugby shirt! Brilliant officer, great leader and there are no words to understand or explain how and why this happened. You left a great impression on all those you met and you will be missed.
Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire
My deepest condolences to Matts family, friends and colleagues. I had the pleasure of working with Matt at Charing Cross in the 90's for a short while a good copper and colleague. Also my thoughts are with all those involved in the incident it must be a very stressful time.
Keith Lovejoy retired PC
So sorry for your loss. He seemed like a wonderful man and colleague. My thoughts are with you all.