The second police officer killed in the A66 crash is being laid to rest today as his family said he gave 'everyone his everything'.
The funeral of Tom Clough - known as Tommy to his colleagues - is being held in Kirkleatham, North Yorkshire, a day after the service for fellow crash victim PC Matthew Blades, 37.
His loved ones said PC Clough, 38, 'proudly served his country to make the world a better place' in the armed services before becoming a police officer. He was a 'partner, brother and son' and 'loved so deeply his sausage dog, Frank'.
Public support 'kept them going'
Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, said his family wanted to thank the public for the 'outpouring of love' which has 'kept them going over the past few weeks'.
She added: "They wanted people to know that he was not just a police officer, he was a partner, a brother and a son, he was so full of fun and most importantly, he loved so deeply his sausage dog, Frank.
"Tommy used to say to his partner that there would not be anyone at his funeral, and he could not be more wrong. His family now wish he could see what the public think, and the support for him. He was described as giving everyone his everything."
More than £1.2 million raised
A Police Federation appeal for the two men's families raised more than a million pounds. There has been an outpouring of grief and respect for the fallen officers, Ms Somerville said.
Ahead of the service for PC Clough, she said: "The public have shown their support in so many ways. There's been over £1.2million raised for Matt and Tom's families. It has been overwhelming, and it's been comforting."
She added: "Officers form relationships in the darkest moments of life and in the triumphs, and every single officer around the country will feel the loss of Matthew and Tom. In Cleveland, there is such a strong sense of pride, and a sense of duty, to get this right for Matthew and Tom. We want to make sure that they are recognised and remembered."
Crash details
The armed response officers were in a marked vehicle on the A66 in South Bank near Middlesbrough in the early hours of August 22 when a VW Passat, traveling on the wrong side of the road after a police pursuit that ended seconds earlier, struck them. The five occupants died at the scene.
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller described PC Blades and PC Clough as "brave, committed, professional people who put the public before themselves".
