SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation has joined the rest of the police family in offering its condolences to the loved ones of Metropolitan Police officer Sgt Matiu Ratana, who was killed on duty last week.<\/p>\n
The long-serving and hugely popular officer was shot in the chest as a suspect was being checked into custody at Croydon Police station in the early hours of the morning on 24 September.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent said: \u201cAll our thoughts from South Yorkshire, from the Federation and from the police in South Yorkshire, go out to the family, colleagues and friends of the officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely horrendous whenever we hear of one of our officers in this country who has been killed in the line of duty, especially in this way.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a tragic incident. Nobody ever comes to work and expects not to go home at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
A minute\u2019s silence has been held across London as officers and politicians stopped to pay tribute to the rugby-loving officer, known to his colleagues as Matt.<\/p>\n
He was 54 with 30 years\u2019 service under his belt and is survived by a partner and a son from a previous relationship.<\/p>\n