The Essex Police family and the wider community have paid their final, emotional respects to PC Mathew Parker, a dedicated officer and father-of-two who tragically died in the line of duty last month.
A Final Journey of Honour
On Monday, 15 December, PC Parker was escorted on his last journey by his heartbroken colleagues from the roads policing unit. The funeral procession was a powerful and moving tribute, reflecting both his service and his personal passions.
The cortege, led by his motorcycle colleagues, travelled from his family home in Loughton, visiting significant locations from his life and career. These included his favourite pub, The Hollybush in Loughton, and his policing base at the Chigwell Roads Policing Unit, where fellow officers formed a solemn guard of honour.
In a show of cross-service solidarity, firefighters at Loughton Fire Station and officers at Loughton Police Station lined up and bowed respectfully as the procession passed. An Essex County Fire & Rescue engine and an East of England Ambulance Service vehicle also joined the convoy, honouring PC Parker's commitment to road safety across the county.
A Life of Service and Passion
PC Mathew Parker, affectionately known as Mat, lost his life on Wednesday, 19 November. He was responding to an emergency call on the A12 near Ingatestone when he was involved in a collision. Essex Police confirmed he died instantly and that no other vehicle was involved.
Mat joined Essex Police in 2010, serving his entire career in West Essex. He worked on the Loughton Local Policing Team and, most recently, was a valued member of the Chigwell Roads Policing Team. Beyond his duty, he was a passionate motorcyclist, a proud owner of a Harley-Davidson, and a member of the Iron Order motorcycle club.
This passion was honoured as biking clubs including The Blue Knights, the Iron Order, and the Copperheads joined the funeral procession, riding in tribute to their fellow biker.
A Force United in Grief
The funeral service was held at Parndon Wood Cemetery & Crematorium, where a further guard of honour comprised of colleagues and biker community members carried Mat inside. Chief Constable BJ Harrington led the tributes, stating it was the "greatest privilege" for the force to support Mat's family.
"Mat died responding to an emergency call to help someone he never met – he is a credit to Essex Police and British policing," said Chief Constable Harrington. He expressed his unimaginable pain for the family and thanked the public of Essex for their humbling support since the tragedy.
The ceremony saw representation from police forces across the country, including Kent, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, the City of London, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Metropolitan Police, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Essex Police in their loss.
In his closing words, the Chief Constable captured the sentiment of all who knew him: "Mat, may you rest in peace and ride free, I will forever be grateful for your service."
