The Duke of Cambridge paid tribute to a murdered policeman on Wednesday (12.05.21).
Prince William laid a wreath on a memorial bench during a visit to Croydon Custody Centre in honour of Sgt. Matt Ratana, who was shot in September 2020 as he prepared to search a handcuffed suspect, and also spoke privately to the officer’s partner of five years, Su Bushby.
William admitted he’d been keen to visit for some time.
He told Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, who was also in attendance: “I’ve wanted to come here for a while”.
She replied: ‘It’s going to mean a lot to people.”
William promised to join Sgt. Ratana’s colleagues for a drink as soon as he’s able to do so.
The prince told Sgt. Steve Braithwaite: “Clearly he was the heart and soul of the police station.”
Speaking afterwards, the officer said: “Prince William asked how we deal with death, and I said we would usually get drunk and make morbid jokes, to get through it, but we haven’t been able to do that because of lockdown and he said ‘Let me know when you do’ and he would join us one day.”
The 38-year-old royal’s visit was in conjunction with Mental Health Week, and he also got to meet police support dog Dexter, who helps officers who have experienced traumatic incidents while on duty.
The pooch’s handler, P.C. Mike Sheather told the royal visitor the dog has also been sent to help hospital workers over the last year, as well as comforting police officers.