PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds attend funeral

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-50033210

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Hundreds of people, including colleagues, are attending the funeral of a police officer who was killed on duty.

Newlywed PC Andrew Harper, 28, died from multiple injuries when he was dragged under a van on a road near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, on 15 August.

The private funeral service for friends and family is being held at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.

Thames Valley Police Federation's chairman said PC Harper was "a hero".

Craig O'Leary said PC Harper, who was from Wallingford in Oxfordshire, "loved being a police officer".

"It is our sad duty today to pay our last respects to him and support his wife Lissie, his family and his friends at his funeral," he added.

Uniformed police officers and members of the public paid their respects as the cortege led by mounted officers travelled through Oxford before the service.

The coffin was draped in a navy flag with a police crest on the side and was carried into the cathedral at 11:00 BST by six officers in full uniform.

Leading the service the Dean of Christ Church the Very Rev Dr Martyn Percy said: "The tributes that have poured in for Andrew exemplify a truly outstanding young man - but also the very best virtues in policing.

"He represented policing at its best. He was everything you wanted in a police officer."

PC Harper, who married wife Lissie four weeks before his death, was killed on the A4 Bath Road while investigating a reported break-in.

Mrs Harper said her husband was the "kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet".

At the scene

By Michael Race, BBC South

Oxford city centre fell silent as the coffin of PC Andrew Harper passed hundreds of people paying their respects to an officer killed in the line of duty.

Colleagues and friends stood resolutely and bowed their heads as the procession carrying one of their own made its way to Christ Church Cathedral.

Led by Thames Valley Police's mounted section, the hearse and three limousines carrying PC Harper's wife Lissie and family arrived outside the cathedral.

Officers remained outside as PC Harper's family made their way into the cathedral and at 11:00 BST the bells rang once more to signal the start of the private service. 

Several firefighters who had been paying their respects were see running down St Aldates shortly after the service began, a reminder that regardless of the time and place, the emergency services will respond.

Jennifer Ashmore, who was a police officer herself in the 1970s, said: "They say once a policeman, always an policeman or woman.

"I feel very, very angry, very, very upset for PC Harper, he's only 28.

"I didn't expect to see this many officers and it's lovely."

Thames Valley Police said its flags would be flying at half-mast as a mark of respect to PC Harper.

It added on Twitter: "Today is going to be a tough day for all our officers, staff and volunteers as we pay tribute to our fallen colleague."

The Plain, Magdalen Bridge, High Street and St Aldate's were shut at 08:00 ahead of the funeral service.

Disruption for motorists is expected to last until 12:30.

Three teenagers remain in custody charged with murdering PC Harper.

Henry Long, 18, from Mortimer in Reading, and two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their age, are accused of murder and conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

Thomas King, 21, from Basingstoke, is also accused of conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

Jed Foster was also accused of murder but prosecutors dropped his charges following further police investigation.