My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end

Partner's pain as gunman guilty

- Paul Jeeves

THE devastated partner of murdered police sergeant Matt Ratana said her "gentle giant" would never be forgotten as his killer faces a life sentence.

Louis De Zoysa, 25, shot the officer in cold-blood using an antique revolver, even though his hands were cuffed behind him.

The New Zealand-born officer, 54, was two months away from retiring when he was killed on September 25, 2020.

Last night, his grief-stricken partner Su Bushby paid tribute to the rugby-loving hero who died "doing a job that he loved".

She said: "His life was taken too soon in the line of duty. A cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others.

Loss

"Whilst the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues.