Manchester United is honoring Police Constable Matthew Blades, a self-described "proud Red," by hosting his widow and two sons as mascots for Sunday's Premier League match against Ipswich at Old Trafford. The club has also dedicated a tribute to PC Blades in the match program.
PC Blades and his colleague PC Tom Clough died on August 22 in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough. Their police car was struck by a vehicle traveling the wrong way. Five occupants of the other vehicle also perished in the incident. The club stated they learned of the officers' deaths with "great sadness."
"Matthew was a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others," Manchester United said in their tribute.
PC Blades had been a regular attendee at Old Trafford and was also involved in coaching youth football at Seaton Carew FC and another local team. Tributes have been paid at various sporting events, including a minute's applause before Middlesbrough's Championship match on Saturday and at Seaton Carew FC's game against FC Hartlepool.
Authorities have arrested 17 individuals in connection with the crash investigation, bringing the total number of arrests to 24. The occupants of the other vehicle involved in the collision were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jacob Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.