Partner of cop shot dead in custody says killing ‘ripped through my body’ as inquest told of his final moments
THE partner of a cop shot dead in custody has told how her his killing “ripped through my body” as his final moments were revealed at an inquest.
Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, was blasted twice during the horror at Croydon Custody Centre on September 25, 2020.
Louis de Zoysa, 26, was handed a whole life tariff in July after he was convicted of murder.
He was still handcuffed when he pulled out a hidden antique revolver and fired four shots – hitting the cop and himself.
Sgt Ratana’s partner of five years Su Busby told an inquest into his death today: “My life changed forever.
“Hearing of his death ripped through my body and I was overwhelmed with grief.
“It has left me in a state of limbo, I’ve not been able to get on with my life.”
Su also told how she has been left with “insomnia, anxiety and depression” following Sgt Ratana’s death and said she misses him “more than words can express”.
He had tragically been planning to propose to Su when he was killed.
She added: “My pain was indescribable, it just wasn’t fair.”
The inquest in Croydon also heard of Sgt Ratana’s final moments after De Zoysa opened fire.
A paramedic said there was a “scene of carnage” following the bloodbath.
Chilling footage previously showed the killer pulling out the gun inside the custody suite before firing into Sgt Ratana’s chest.
Two other officers then wrestle De Zoysa to the ground as a third bullet hits the wall of the cell.
In the 16 seconds after the third shot was heard, he blasted himself in the face.
As a result, De Zoysa now now uses a wheelchair and has a whiteboard to communicate.
The gunman had been stopped by police in Norbury, South London, at 1.30am.
Officers arrested him after finding cannabis and several bullets but the gun was not discovered during the stop-and-search.
The revolver was likely concealed in a holster “under one of his armpits”, his trial was told.
Tragically, Sgt Ratana had moved to work in custody because it was safer before his killing.
The cop, who had served with the Met since 1991, was the first ever officer to be killed inside a British police station.