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PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds attend funeral | PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds attend funeral |
(32 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a police officer who was killed on duty. | |
Uniformed colleagues of PC Andrew Harper lined the route as the cortege made its way to the private service at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. | |
The newlywed 28-year-old died from multiple injuries when he was dragged under a van on a road near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, on 15 August. | |
Thames Valley Police Federation's chairman said PC Harper was "a hero". | Thames Valley Police Federation's chairman said PC Harper was "a hero". |
Paying tribute to PC Harper, who married his wife Lissie four weeks before his death, Craig O'Leary said he "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. |
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 hour-long 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." | "He represented policing at its best. He was everything you wanted in a police officer." |
At the scene | At the scene |
By BBC News correspondent Helena Wilkinson in Oxford | |
PC Harper had married his childhood sweetheart Lissie just 28 days before he died. Today she, with other family and friends, came to Christ Church Cathedral to say their final goodbye. | |
People who didn't know him came out to pay their respects. Hundreds of officers from PC Harper's force also lined the route. Many looked as young as he was. | |
As the hearse led by officers on horseback passed silence fell. Officers bowed their heads. Some people in the crowds began to cry. | |
Through the glass of the hearse PC Harper's coffin could be seen draped in a Thames Valley Police flag. | |
A young officer who died while doing his job. A hero to so many. | |
PC Harper, from Wallingford in Oxfordshire, 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". | |
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 between 08:00 and 12:30 ahead of the funeral service. | |
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. |