Croydon police officer Sgt Matt Ratana wins Unsung Hero award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year
| Date | 21 December 2020 |
| Published date | 21 December 2020 |
| Publication title | MyLondon (England) |
Sgt Ratana was taken to St George's Hospital but he was pronounced dead at 4.20am
The East Grinstead RFC coach was crowned this year's Unsung Hero during Sunday's ceremony, December 20 and the trophy was presented to Sgt Ratana's partner Su Bushby, with friend Lorraine Dray and Andy Poole, President of East Grinstead RFC by her side.
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Sue said: " Matt was my rock and had a heart of gold. I am so honoured to accept this incredible award on his behalf to celebrate his life and the people he helped. He has touched the hearts of so many.
"We are all so proud of him and he is and always will be my hero. I want to personally thank the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation for continuing to carry out Matt’s legacy.”
Mr Poole said: “Matt represented the absolute best in our sport and in life.
"His dedication and devotion to community rugby and his tremendous support to players both on and off the pitch has been recognised at the highest level. He will be hugely missed by so many.
"This whole experience is bittersweet. To every single person who got behind the nomination -we thank you. There is a Matt in every club but our big man was incredibly special indeed."
In a moving video tribute to Sgt Ratana, players and coaching staff at East Grinstead RFC described how the police sergeant influenced their lives through sport.
At a preliminary hearing into Sgt Ratana's death at Croydon Coroner’s Court, Detective Superintendent Nick Blackburn said a gun was discharged 'several times' inside the custody centre.
He told the inquest the suspect was first detained by police in Pollards Hill at 1.30am.
The suspect was handcuffed and taken into custody on suspicion of the possession of ammunition and a class B drug.
He said: “Upon arrival, he [the suspect] was taken to a holding room where he remained in handcuffs.
“The custody sergeant...
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