PC Matthew Blades, the Cleveland Police officer killed in a head-on crash on the A66, is being laid to rest today. The 37-year-old died alongside his colleague PC Tom Clough, 38, when their armed response vehicle was struck by a VW Passat containing five youths.
Family's Emotional Tribute
PC Blades, who had two sons aged six and eight, was part of Cleveland Police's Matrix team of responders. Ahead of his funeral in Hartlepool, Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, said the outpouring of grief and support for the two officers showed 'how much they were loved'.
Somerville said: “There’s been over £1.2 million raised for Matt and Tom’s families, which is overwhelming, and a great show of support.” She added that people had been in touch from Australia, France, and America, with flowers delivered to stations and comments on Facebook.
'Loved Beyond Words'
Somerville described PC Blades as “a best friend, a father, a brother and a son,” adding, “He was the heart of the family, and he will be loved beyond words, today, tomorrow and always.” She noted he was a joker who brought light and laughter into every room, and that “life feels unbearably quiet without him.”
She also spoke of a “huge sense of pride, honour, and duty among Cleveland Police and officers across the country,” with officers standing “shoulder to shoulder” for Matthew and Tom. Cleveland Police has been supported by other forces in the aftermath of the crash and investigations into wider organised crime.
Football Club Tribute
In a lasting tribute, FC Hartlepool has changed one of its team's names in honour of PC Blades, their former coach. The FC U10 Reds have been renamed FC Blades, with the club saying his influence “will never be forgotten.” The team began the new season with a win in their opening game.
Before his police career, PC Blades was a teacher at Carmel College, a Roman Catholic secondary school and sixth form in Darlington, County Durham. A public fundraiser for the two officers raised its target of £1.2m to be shared between their two families.
