SAD NEW: Wife’s Heartbreaking Tribute to PC Matthew Blades After A66 Tragedy
‘Forever Our Superhero’: Wife’s Heartbreaking Tribute to PC Matthew Blades After A66 Tragedy
The grieving wife of PC Matthew Blades has paid an emotional tribute to her husband, remembering him not only as a dedicated police officer, but as her “best friend” and an extraordinary father whose love will remain at the heart of their family.
PC Blades, 37, died alongside fellow officer PC Tom Clough, 38, following a devastating collision on the A66 in Teesside.
In a deeply moving statement released through Cleveland Police, Matthew’s wife described the enormous void his death has left behind — while promising that their two young sons will grow up knowing exactly what kind of man their father was.
‘My beloved husband, my best friend’
“No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt,” she said, describing him as her beloved husband, best friend and a devoted father to their two boys.
Her tribute painted a picture of a man treasured throughout his family — an adored son and brother, a much-loved son-in-law and a fun uncle whose presence brought happiness to those around him.
She said his loss had left “a space that can never be filled.”
But amid the grief, she also spoke with immense pride about Matthew’s commitment to his work.
“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness,” she said.
While acknowledging that life for the family would never be the same, she added that the love Matthew gave them would never disappear.
His sons will grow up knowing their father’s legacy
Perhaps the most poignant part of the tribute was her promise to keep Matthew’s memory alive for their children.
She said their boys would grow up knowing what an “incredible father” he was — and always would be.
For Matthew’s family, his professional dedication will remain an important part of his story, but his wife made clear that his greatest legacy was something much closer to home.
“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,” she said.
Her tribute ended with words that captured both the family’s heartbreak and enduring love:
“Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad 
”
Fellow officer PC Tom Clough also remembered as ‘our hero’
PC Blades died alongside PC Tom Clough, 38, after a Volkswagen Passat collided with their marked armed response vehicle.
Five males aged between 17 and 23 who were travelling in the Passat also died.
PC Clough’s family have also paid tribute to him, remembering a man with a “fantastic sense of humour” who was always ready to help others.
They described him simply and powerfully as “our hero.”
Their statement also reflected on his commitment to public service and his willingness to step forward whenever others needed assistance.
What happened on the A66
According to information released following the incident, Cleveland Police had received intelligence concerning a Volkswagen Passat believed to be linked to a number of incidents and suspected of using cloned registration plates.
An armed response vehicle subsequently pursued the Passat.
The pursuit lasted just under seven minutes before the Passat entered the A66 at South Bank travelling against the flow of traffic.
Police then abandoned the pursuit and remained on the correct side of the carriageway.
Around 10 seconds after the pursuit ended, the Passat collided with the marked armed response vehicle occupied by PC Blades and PC Clough.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said the two officers were not involved in the original pursuit. They had been called into the area to assist with the search for the Passat.
The incident has been referred to the IOPC, which is examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell offered condolences to those affected and said investigators had obtained initial accounts from officers involved in the pursuit, along with the incident log and in-car footage. Further material was also being gathered.
A family surrounded by support
As tributes continued, Matthew’s wife expressed profound gratitude to the emergency services and the wider police community for standing beside the family during an unimaginably difficult period.
She said every message, visit and gesture of kindness had meant more than words could express and would never be forgotten.
Flowers have also been left near the scene as colleagues, loved ones and members of the community remember the lives lost.
For those closest to Matthew, however, behind the uniform was the husband, father, son, brother and friend they loved.
And for his two young boys, the message their mother wants them always to carry is clear:
Their dad was deeply loved — and to them, he will forever be their superhero.
