Hundreds of mourners stood in silence as PC Tom Clough made his final journey through Kirkleatham, honouring the much-loved police officer killed in the line of duty.
His coffin, draped in the Union Jack and surrounded by flowers, was carried down Plantation Road, in Redcar, shortly after 1pm today (Thursday 10) as police officers stood shoulder-to-shoulder in tribute.
PC Clough died alongside his colleague, PC Matthew Blades when their marked police car was hit head-on by a VW going the wrong way up the A66 at South Bank at 3.30am on Saturday, August 22.
A sea of mourners were pictured as PC Clough's funeral took place.
They looked on as the cortege made its way towards Kirkleatham Walled Gardens, where a private service was held in his memory.
Officers wearing black armbands bearing the names of fallen colleagues stood in sombre formation as the flower-covered hearse passed.
Floral tributes surrounded the coffin as a convoy of black vehicles carrying grieving relatives and close friends followed behind the hearse towards the private service.
Members of the public gathered along the route, some clutching flowers and others bowing their heads as the cortege passed.
Paul Duce, a member of the public, said: “The reason I’m here is simple – to pay respect to the officers.
“Police officers put up with a lot, and they deal with a lot, it’s as simple as respect.
“This situation should never have happened.”
PC Clough's family previously paid tribute to their “hero” after his death.
They said: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.
“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.
“We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”
Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, paid tribute to PC Clough before his funeral.
She said: “Tom’s family want to say thank you, the public support has been overwhelming for them and it has kept them going in these very dark times.
“Tom wasn’t just a Cleveland Police officer, he was a partner, a brother and a son - but he was also a father to a sausage dog called Frank, who he loved so deeply.
“Tom used to say that there wouldn’t be anybody at his funeral, he couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Tom was so full of fun – he is described as giving everything to everybody.”
Lauren added: “Tom was loved deeply by his colleagues, people have been contacting me who worked with Tom, years and years ago. He served in the military, he was in the Civil Nuclear Police, the British Transport Police and Cleveland Police.
“I would say that it would be an understatement to say that every single place he served was privileged to have him with them.
“He will be hugely missed.”
Organisers said the money would be split equally between the two families, while the federation continued to provide support.
Middlesbrough FC paid tribute to the pair during their Championship match against West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside on Saturday, August 29.
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The funeral of PC Blades took place in Hartlepool yesterday (Wednesday, September 9), where hundreds of mourners, police officers, emergency service workers and members of the public gathered to pay their respects.
Silence fell as the cortege arrived at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, led by bagpipers playing Amazing Grace. PC Blades' coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried into the church by pallbearers while officers from across the region stood in formation.
Tributes paid during the day reflected those shared in the weeks following his death, with mourners describing him as a devoted husband, father and colleague. Before joining Cleveland Police, PC Blades worked as an English teacher at Carmel College in Darlington.
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