A POLICE sergeant who was shot dead at a custody centre while on duty was honoured on the year anniversary of his death this weekend.

Matt Ratana, from Goring, was honoured at the National Police Memorial Day in Lincoln on Saturday.

While a minute’s silence was held in London on the same day, exactly a year after his death last year.

East Grinstead Rugby Football Club, where the 54-year-old was head coach, also held a memorial service.

Metropolitan Police Service commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has announced a special memorial service will be held in November.

This event will take the place of the full force funeral, which the Met were unable to hold due to Covid restrictions.

The Argus: Matt Ratana and his partner of five years, Su Bushby.Matt Ratana and his partner of five years, Su Bushby.

Jonathan Osborne, commissioner and senior chaplain, represented the Met at National Police Memorial Day, which honoured Sgt Ratana alongside other police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting and serving the public.

He said: “Matt has very much been in our thoughts over the last year, both as we grieve for him, but also as we celebrate his life. His legacy lives on with his family and friends from the Met, rugby, and beyond.

“When Matt was killed, COVID-19 meant the Met weren't able to mark his death with a force funeral in the way that we would have wished to.

“I said at the time that when restrictions were no longer in place, we would hold a full memorial service that would allow us to come together in Matt's memory.

“For many people the anniversary of Matt’s murder and National Police Memorial Day will be a time of particular sadness and reflection but we will never forget all our fallen colleagues and will remember and honour them forever.”

A celebration of Sgt Ratana's life was held at East Grinstead RFC in West Sussex on Saturday which involved a day full of rugby matches in his memory.

The service also included a Maori concert and a performance by classical singer Joanna Forest.

Sgt Ratana custody sergeant was on duty at the Met’s custody centre in Croydon last year and was killed while a handcuffed suspect was being taken into custody.

Louis De Zoysa, 24, who also suffered a gunshot wound and has been in hospital, is due in court on December 23.

De Zoysa was charged with murder, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition on June 29 following changes in his medical condition.