Hero's Haka Farewell: Maori Tribute for Policeman Killed on Duty in U.K. (Realpress)

Hero's Haka Farewell: Maori Tribute for Policeman Killed on Duty in U.K. (Realpress)

LONDON–The funeral for a policeman in London who was killed in the line of duty included the ex-captain of New Zealand's national union rugby team leading a traditional Haka dance to honor the fallen officer, who was born in the Pacific Ocean country.

The remembrance was for Matt Ratana, who was killed earlier this fall by a handcuffed suspect who had managed to keep a gun in his possession.“Haka for Sgt.

Matt Ratana.

As part of today's service of celebration and thanksgiving for Ratana, a traditional Maori Haka was performed as a mark of respect,” said the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in a Facebook posting on the event.

(The Maori are New Zealand's indigenous people.)Ratana, 54, was shot by a man in handcuffs inside a London police station on Sept.

25.

The incident marked the first death of a U.K. officer by firearm since 2012, according to published reports at the time.The tribute for the fallen officer and rugby fan took place outside a chapel in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex on Nov.

4 and was led by former All Blacks captain Zinzan Brooke, 55.

(The team's name is derived from the color of its jerseys.) (Realpress)