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| Memorial for Sgt Matiu Ratana: Rugby club's unsung hero | Memorial for Sgt Matiu Ratana: Rugby club's unsung hero |
| (4 months later) | |
| Matiu Ratana, known as Matt, has been described as an "irreplaceable figure" by his rugby club | Matiu 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | His partner, Su Bushby, said: "Matt was a role model, a mentor, a friend." |
| The silhouette of Matt Ratana looks out over the rugby pitches where he trained so many young players | The silhouette of Matt Ratana looks out over the rugby pitches where he trained so many young players |
| Unveiling the memorial at a private event, Ms Bushby told the gathered crowd of family and friends: "We are here to celebrate Matt's life and achievements. | Unveiling the memorial at a private event, Ms Bushby told the gathered crowd of family and friends: "We are here to celebrate Matt's life and achievements. |
| "Since his death I have been overwhelmed by the respect and kindness from colleagues and players at all levels. | "Since his death I have been overwhelmed by the respect and kindness from colleagues and players at all levels. |
| "Matt was a role model, a mentor, a friend, my partner," she said. | "Matt was a role model, a mentor, a friend, my partner," she said. |
| "He was so proud of everyone, and I mean everyone. | "He was so proud of everyone, and I mean everyone. |
| "[Matt] was thoughtful and funny and he always made sure I was ok. | "[Matt] was thoughtful and funny and he always made sure I was ok. |
| "He was a very special man." | "He was a very special man." |
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| Sports Personality of the Year: Sgt Matt Ratana wins Unsung Hero award | Sports Personality of the Year: Sgt Matt Ratana wins Unsung Hero award |
| New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana, who lived in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, was shot in the chest in a holding room at Croydon Custody Centre as he was about to search a suspect. | New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana, who lived in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, was shot in the chest in a holding room at Croydon Custody Centre as he was about to search a suspect. |
| Louis de Zoysa, 23, has been charged with his murder. | Louis de Zoysa, 23, has been charged with his murder. |
| Sgt Ratana had been at East Grinstead Rugby Club for three years and managed the colts team before becoming head coach. | Sgt Ratana had been at East Grinstead Rugby Club for three years and managed the colts team before becoming head coach. |
| He won the Unsung Hero category at BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in 2020 following a nomination by the club. | He won the Unsung Hero category at BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in 2020 following a nomination by the club. |
| Sgt Ratana was a role model and a mentor, his partner said | Sgt Ratana was a role model and a mentor, his partner said |
| One of Sgt Ratana's colleagues posted a tribute on Twitter describing his former boss as "a hero". | One of Sgt Ratana's colleagues posted a tribute on Twitter describing his former boss as "a hero". |
| He was my first line manager. He welcomed me into the fray and had my back. Just like at the club, made a point that everyone was welcome, no matter what creed, colour or skill set. The hero London needed but didn’t deserve. | He was my first line manager. He welcomed me into the fray and had my back. Just like at the club, made a point that everyone was welcome, no matter what creed, colour or skill set. The hero London needed but didn’t deserve. |
| Jeff Blackett, the president of the RFU, told the event: "Matt made a real difference to many lives. Both here at the club and in the wider community. | Jeff Blackett, the president of the RFU, told the event: "Matt made a real difference to many lives. Both here at the club and in the wider community. |
| "We are delighted at the RFU that his legacy will continue here at East Grinstead and in the wider rugby family." | "We are delighted at the RFU that his legacy will continue here at East Grinstead and in the wider rugby family." |
| Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. |