Essex community pays final respects to hero officer PC Mathew Parker | UK | News

A police officer who tragically died in the line of duty was laid to rest as his colleagues gathered to pay their respects and say their final farewells.

PC Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, was attending an emergency call along the A12 near Ingatestone on Wednesday, November 19, when he was involved in a fatal collision. Essex Police confirmed the man died instantly in the incident, which involved no other vehicles.

The father-of-two enlisted with Essex Police in 2010 and has dedicated his entire career to West Essex, including stints with the Loughton Local Policing Team and most recently the Chigwell Roads Policing Team. An avid motorcycle enthusiast, he proudly owned a cherished Harley Davidson and held membership in the Iron Order motorcycle club.

On Monday, December 15, he was given a final escort by his road police colleagues as he made his final journey before being buried. Chief Constable BJ Harrington said: “It was the greatest privilege for Essex Police to support Mat’s family as they said goodbye today.

“Mat was deeply loved by his family and the Essex Police family, so it was right that we in Essex Police stood shoulder to shoulder with his heartbroken loved ones and gave Mat and his family a full police funeral service to commemorate his service to our county and, of course, his sacrifice in the line of duty.”

“I cannot imagine the pain felt by Mat’s family but we stand together with them today in pain and love for Mat. I would like to thank every officer and member of our police family from across Essex and beyond who made this day possible. From the funeral directors, to our colleagues in the fire and ambulance and to our colleagues at the crematorium.

“I would also like to thank the people of Essex; thank you for the support you have given us all since Mat’s death has been humbling, thank you. Like every member of Essex Police, Mat has proudly served the people of Essex. Officers willingly face danger every day and do so knowing they may not come back.”

“Mat died responding to an urgent call to help a complete stranger; it is an honor for him, Essex Police and the British police. May Mat rest in peace and travel free, I will be forever grateful for your services.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “On Monday 15 December, PC Mathew Parker, our brave constable who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, was escorted by his road enforcement colleagues as he was laid to rest on his final journey.

“PC Parker, affectionately known as Mat to all who knew and loved him, was a dedicated team member of Chigwell Roads Policing Unit, where he was a motorcycle officer. In tribute to his work and his love of motorcycles, the men and women of Essex Police, UK police, blue light services and motorcycle clubs gathered to honor Mat and escort him and his loved ones to his final resting place.”

Mat and his family left the family home in Loughton in a procession: his favorite pub, The Hollybush in Loughton; police base at Chigwell Roads Police Unit, where colleagues form a guard of honour; Loughton Fire Station, where firefighters line up and bow their heads in respect; and Loughton Police Station, where colleagues also gathered to pay tribute.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue engine and an East of England Ambulance Service vehicle joined the convoy as a sign of respect for Mat and his commitment to road safety across Essex. The Blue Knights, Iron Order and Copperheads cycling clubs attended the parade and funeral to commemorate Mat’s passion for motorcycles.

Mat’s funeral cortege, accompanied by motorbike colleagues from Chigwell, then carried Mat with his family to Parndon Wood Cemetery and Crematorium. The father-of-two was carried outside the crematorium for the funeral by colleagues and members of the cycling community, while another guard of honor also gathered outside the crematorium.

A modest group of representatives from police forces across the country, including Kent, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of London, Norfolk, Suffolk and the Metropolitan Police, joined Essex Police and Mat’s family to bid him farewell.