Hundreds of cops and soldiers to line streets for funeral of hero officer, 38, killed in Middlesbrough A66 crash

THE army will today join the police in saying goodbye to war veteran PC Tom Clough who was killed in the A66 crash. Before he joined the police Tom, 38, served with the bomb squad and saw active duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan. PC Tom Clough also died when a car going in the wrong direction hit a police car on the A66 Credit: PA Both the Army and Police will gather today for the funeralCredit: Refer to source After leaving the army he worked for Civil Nuclear Police and British Transport Police before joining Cleveland Police where he was a firearms officer. Hundreds of mourners are expected at the service today near Middlesbrough – just three miles from where the crash occurred – where he will be given full police honours. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It comes after the funeral for Matthew Blades, who also died in the horrific crash in August. Cleveland Police Federation Chair Lauren Somerville revealed Tom used to joke with family and friends that no-one would turn up to his funeral, adding that “he couldn’t have been more wrong.” The funeral for PC Blades took place yesterday Credit: AFP Standard bearers are representing every UK force at the service for PC Matthew Blades, 37, yesterday Credit: Getty She said: “Tom’s family are so grateful for the outpouring of love from the public. It’s really kept them going. They want people to know that Tom wasn’t just a police officer. He was a partner, a brother and a son. “He was full of fun. He had a sausage dog that he loved so deeply called Frank. “Tom used to say to his partner that he didn’t think anybody would be at his funeral, and he couldn’t have been more wrong. “And she wishes that he could see now exactly what the public think. She describes Tom as giving everyone his everything. Most read in The Sun Emergency services at the scene of the A66 crash Credit: PA The bearer party removed their headdress during the funeral service Credit: Getty “People have been contacting me who worked with Tom, years and years ago. He was loved deeply by his colleagues. “There are people here at his funeral from the civil nuclear police, British Transport Police, the army, all with dignity and pride for Tom as well as other officers from around the country. It’s exactly what Tom deserves.” Before joining the force, PC Clough was in 11 Troop, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment, based at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh, and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan before joining Civil Nuclear Police and British Transport Police. Ahead of the service today, Tom’s family said: “He proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place and was always on public duty throughout his short life. He was our hero.” In a statement, they said: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour who jumped into action whenever needed, and was willing to help anyone for any reason. “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”. Chief Superintendent Richard Clark, who was Tom’s commanding officer at Sellafield Operational Policing Unit, said it was a “privilege to serve alongside him”. He said: “I had the privilege of knowing Tom during my time as Chief Inspector at Sellafield, where we worked together on numerous operational deployments and exercises. “Tom was the epitome of professionalism, bringing dedication, skill and commitment to every task, whether serving within our Dynamic Search and Interdiction Team, or in his role as a Police Medic. “While his life was far too short, it was undoubtedly one that was lived to the full.” PC Clough and PC Blades were tragically killed on August 22 when a VW Passat hit them after driving the wrong way onto the A66. The five in the Passat – Michael Cahill, Jakub Matusiak, both 23, Makai Saddington, 18, and 17-year-olds Cole Worthy and Theo Rae – were also killed. The gang had purposefully driven into oncoming traffic in a bid to shake off police during a high-speed chase. Cops abandoned the seven-minute pursuit as soon as they entered the dual carriageway. But 10 seconds later at 3.39am the Passat smashed into the armed response unit. The gang had been looking for rivals after a long-running feud exploded when a Volvo XC60 rammed a home belonging to Cole Worthy’s dad, Gye, 38. Moments later, the car barged an Audi into the front of a home belonging to Theo Rae’s family. Cops flooded the area to prevent further disorder but by then the five were in the Passat hunting the Volvo. It tried to evade pursuing police by heading onto the A66 and moments later the crash occurred triggering an explosion in the gangland feud which rocked Middlesbrough. An extra 200 specialist officers, including armed cops, were deployed to the town from six other northern forces as Cleveland Police tried to keep a lid on the escalating violence. Police made 24 arrests in the days after to disrupt organised crime. Comment now