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PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds attend funeral | PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds attend funeral |
(32 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of people, including colleagues, are attending the funeral of a police officer who was killed on duty. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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". | 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. | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | Mrs Harper said her husband was the "kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet". |
At the scene | At the scene |
By Michael Race, BBC South | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | Disruption for motorists is expected to last until 12:30. |
Three teenagers remain in custody charged with murdering PC Harper. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Jed Foster was also accused of murder but prosecutors dropped his charges following further police investigation. |