10/09/2026
A loving husband and father who brought infectious “light and laughter to every room” was remembered at the emotional funeral of Cleveland Police officer PC Matt Blades.
A full Police Guard of Honour was on display with hundreds of grieving colleagues lining the streets of Hartlepool as loved ones and friends paid final respects to PC Blades at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.
Hundreds of people packed the church, with members of the public and paramedics also in attendance on the roads outside paying their respects to the 37 year old father of two, who died on duty in the early hours of Saturday August 22.
Standard bearers from every force across the country lined the route as PC Blades’s hearse made the journey to the church.
His coffin was draped in the Union Jack flag. The hearse carried a floral tribute at its front: “Dad”.
In a statement, his family said: “Matt’s laughter may no longer fill the room, but the memories of his humour, his love and the happiness he brought us will stay in our hearts forever.”
There was silence as mourners bowed their heads as PC Blades coffin made its way slowly to the church – followed by his family - as part of the ceremonial parade.
Hundreds of officers from Cleveland Police were on parade, many wearing a patch with the thin blue line and the officers’ names and collar numbers - PC 2443 Blades and PC3234 Clough.
PC Blades died – alongside PC Tom Clough - when a Volkswagen Passat driving the wrong way down the road collided with their marked armed response car on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
In a full statement issued after the funeral from Cleveland Police Federation, his wife said: “There are no words powerful enough to express the heartbreak of losing my beloved best friend, my husband and father to our beautiful boys, especially in such tragic and unimaginable circumstances.
“The heart of our family has been taken from us and from those who loved him far too soon.
“The pain of his absence will be felt every day, but so will the love he gave, the memories he created, and the precious place he will forever hold in the hearts of his family.
“He may no longer be here to hold our hands, but his love will remain with them for the rest of their lives. He will be loved, remembered and missed beyond words, today, tomorrow and always."
Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: “The Police Family came together shoulder to shoulder today, arm in arm to remember our brave colleague PC Matthew Blades.
“It was an honour and a privilege to attend today’s funeral on behalf of our colleagues across Cleveland.
“His family have shown incredible dignity and bravery since those awful events in August and it was our privilege to play our small part in honouring Matt’s memory."
Police Minister Sarah Jones attended the service on behalf of the Government and PC Blades’s coffin was piped into the service to the tune “Amazing Grace”.
