Hundreds of police officers attended the funeral of PC Matthew Blades, a 42-year-old armed response officer who was killed in a collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The service was held at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in his hometown of Hartlepool, where colleagues in white caps—traditional police uniforms—gathered to pay their respects. Standard bearers from every UK police force were present, symbolizing the unity of law enforcement across the country. PC Blades was killed along with his colleague, PC Tom Clough, 38, in a tragic collision that also claimed the lives of five young men. Some officers wore patches on their uniforms bearing the numbers PC 2443 BLADES and PC 3234 CLOUGH, a gesture to honor their fallen colleagues. The hearse carried a white and red floral tribute that read "Dad" on the roof, recognizing PC Blades as a devoted father of two children. Pallbearers carried the coffin into the church, which was led by a police motorbike outrider and flanked by four officers on horseback, while a cordon of hundreds of members of the public stood in tribute. Before the service, traffic officers in white caps hugged each other, reflecting on the loss of their colleague. Four pipers and a drummer processed in front of the funeral car, playing "Amazing Grace" as the coffin—covered in a Union Flag—was brought into the church. Representatives from the North East Ambulance Service and Great North Air Ambulance were also present, underscoring the wide reach of the emergency services community. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller greeted mourners at the entrance to the church, offering support to those in attendance. As the hearse approached, the standard bearers lowered their flags in a solemn gesture of respect. The funeral marked a somber but unified moment for the police community and the public, honoring the lives of two officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.