Hundreds of police officers and military personnel gathered to pay tribute to PC Tom Clough, 38, who was killed in a crash on the A66. The service was held at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens near Redcar.
PC Clough served in the British Army for six years, undertaking tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a bomb disposal expert, before joining Cleveland Police as a firearms officer. He died alongside his colleague, PC Matt Blades, 37, when their armed response vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat being driven in the wrong direction on a dual carriageway. The five occupants of the Passat, who were using a cloned number plate, were also killed in the incident, which occurred in the early hours of August 22.
PC Clough's funeral followed a similar service for PC Blades, which was attended by over 1,000 officers in Hartlepool. The procession for PC Clough included mounted officers, motorcyclists, and an armed response vehicle representing Cleveland Police's Matrix team.
Family of PC Clough described him as a hero with a "fantastic sense of humour" who was always willing to help. His family stated, "He proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. He was always on public duty throughout his short life."
Attendees at the funeral included Cleveland Police chief constable Victoria Fuller, policing minister Sarah Jones, and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. Members of the public also attended to pay their respects. Gerald Templeton, a retired panel beater, said he had "total respect" for police officers and found the event "heartbreaking." Anita Tinsley, whose father was a police inspector, noted the worry faced by officers' families and stated it was "only right that they are remembered in the right way."
The crash has led to dozens of arrests on suspicion of links to an organized crime group operating in the Teesside area. Memorial events for the five individuals in the Passat have reportedly involved vandalism and intimidation.
PC Clough also served with the Civil Nuclear Police and British Transport Police. His most recent Army unit was the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, where he held the rank of lance corporal.
The funerals for the five individuals in the Passat, identified as Theo Rae, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Cole Worthy, 17, and Michael Cahill, 23, also took place recently. Reports indicate the five had ties to organized crime in Teesside.