PC Matthew Blades dedicated his life to protecting others with ‘courage, dedication and selflessness’, his wife said
A heartbreaking tribute has been paid to a police officer killed in the line of duty after a devastating crash on the A66. The widow of PC Matthew Blades has described him as her “beloved husband”, “best friend” and the “most devoted father” to their two young sons.
PC Blades, 37, died in the collision in the early hours of Saturday (August 22) after a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway crashed into a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle.
Fellow officer Pc Tom Clough died in the incident as well when their vehicle was hit by the car carrying Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, who all lost their lives.
In an emotional tribute released by Cleveland Police on Sunday evening, his wife said no words could honour the officer, who she said was loved “beyond words” by family and friends and whose death had left “a space that can never be filled”.
She said: “No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt, my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.
“He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle. He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.
Describing the father of two, she added that he had dedicated his life to protecting others with “courage, dedication and selflessness”, and that while he died serving the public, “his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family”.
“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness. The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.
“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.
“He may have left this world committed to the duty he believed in, but his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family.
“We would also like to express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all of the emergency services and to our police family who have stood beside us through the most difficult time of our lives.
“The kindness, compassion, love and unwavering support we have received as a family has meant more to us than words could ever express. Every message, visit, gesture of support and every person who has stood alongside us will never be forgotten. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad”
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