HIS TWO SONS HAD ONE FINAL TRIBUTE FOR THEIR DAD — AND IT WAS WAITING ON TOP OF HIS FUNERAL HEARSE

PC Matthew Blades was remembered as a devoted husband and father as hundreds of police officers and members of the public gathered to say goodbye in Hartlepool.

The streets of Hartlepool fell silent as hundreds of police officers gathered to honour PC Matthew Blades, the 37-year-old officer killed in the devastating A66 crash.

But among the solemn tributes, one deeply personal detail stood out.

On top of Matthew’s funeral hearse was a large floral tribute spelling one simple word:

“DAD.”

It was a heartbreaking reminder of the two young boys who had lost their father.

A FINAL JOURNEY THROUGH HIS HOMETOWN

Matthew Blades was laid to rest at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Hartlepool, his hometown, on September 9.

Hundreds of police officers lined Hutton Avenue outside the church, with standard bearers representing forces from across the United Kingdom.

Members of the public also gathered along the route to pay their respects.

The hearse carrying Matthew’s coffin was accompanied by a police motorcycle outrider, while four pipers and a drummer played “Amazing Grace.”

His coffin was covered by the Union Flag.

For a man who had spent his career protecting others, the turnout became a powerful display of how many lives he had touched.

THE WORD THAT SAID EVERYTHING

Matthew was a married father of two young boys.

And the floral tribute placed above the hearse did not need a long message.

It simply said:

DAD.

The tribute captured the part of Matthew’s life that mattered most away from his uniform.

He was not only a police officer.

He was a husband.

A father.

A son.

A brother.

And, to his two boys, simply their dad.

After the service, Home Office minister Anna Turley described Matthew as a devoted husband and father who was “rightly a hero to his sons.”

She also recalled words from the service describing him as “the light that shines into the darkness.”

THE CRASH THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Matthew was killed alongside fellow armed response officer PC Tom Clough, 38, in the early hours of August 22.

The officers were travelling in a marked police vehicle on the A66 near South Bank, close to Middlesbrough, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Passat.

Five young men travelling in the Passat also died.

The devastating crash claimed seven lives and left families, colleagues and communities across the region mourning.

Police said the Passat had been involved in a pursuit before that pursuit was abandoned. Matthew and Tom were travelling in the correct direction when the collision occurred.

‘THE HEART OF THE FAMILY’

Matthew’s colleagues remembered far more than the officer behind the badge.

Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville described him as a best friend, husband, father, brother and son.

His family said he was the heart of the family, remembered for his laughter and silly jokes that could make people smile even at unexpected moments.

Matthew was also a dedicated football coach in his spare time and a Manchester United fan.

Those who knew him said his humour and warmth would remain part of the memories shared by his family, friends and colleagues.

A CITY STANDING BESIDE HIS FAMILY

The funeral brought together police officers from across Britain, representatives of emergency services and members of the public.

Four mounted officers stood beside the route as the funeral cortege approached the church.

Police colleagues hugged one another before the service, while officers wore patches bearing Matthew’s and Tom’s names.

The scale of the tribute reflected the impact of their deaths on the policing community.

More than £1.2 million had also been raised for the families of Matthew and Tom, according to the Cleveland Police Federation.

But amid all the uniforms, flags and ceremonial tributes, the most personal message remained the simplest.

“Dad.”

A single word on a funeral hearse — carrying the weight of everything two young sons had lost.

And as Matthew made his final journey through the town he called home, his family, colleagues and community made sure he was remembered not only as the officer who gave his life in service, but as the father whose two boys will