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| Matiu Ratana: Officer's partner pays tribute to 'gentle giant' | Matiu Ratana: Officer's partner pays tribute to 'gentle giant' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The partner of a police officer killed in Croydon has paid tribute to the "gentle giant, with his infectious smile and big heart". | The partner of a police officer killed in Croydon has paid tribute to the "gentle giant, with his infectious smile and big heart". |
| Su Bushby said Sgt Matiu Ratana, who she spent five years of her life with, "touched many, many people's lives". | |
| She added: "Matt was my partner, friend, confidant, support and soul mate." | |
| Sgt Ratana, 54, died in hospital on Friday after being shot as a handcuffed suspect was being taken into custody. | |
| Ms Bushby's tribute came after MPs in the House of Commons fell silent on Monday afternoon to pay their respects to the experienced officer. | |
| "There aren't really any words for how I am feeling right now about the loss of Matt; about losing someone I loved and was so close to in such a tragic manner," Ms Bushby said. | |
| "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." | |
| "He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Matt will always be in my head and in my heart," she added. |