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PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds of mourners attend funeral | PC Andrew Harper: Hundreds of mourners attend funeral |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a police officer who was killed while on duty. | Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a police officer who was killed while 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. | 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 28-year-old died after being dragged under a vehicle on a road near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, on 15 August. | |
His widow Lissie Harper paid tribute during the service describing him as a "gentle giant with a heart of gold". | |
Reading the eulogy, she said: "You used to tell me we were a team and that we would get through all of life's hurdles together, how I wish you were here with me now. The hardest challenge of all is losing you. | |
"Keeping everyone safe was your priority, not only in your job but with your family too. Everything was always okay when you were around. | |
"Although Andrew was strong he was also unfailingly kind, a gentle giant with a heart of gold." | |
The couple, who were childhood sweethearts and had been together for 13 years, had only been married for four weeks. | |
She added: "He was my hero and his spirit will live on in my memories forever." | |
Earlier members of the public paid their respects as the cortege led by mounted officers travelled through Oxford before the service, which was attended by 800 mourners. | |
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. | |
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. | 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. Authentic, brave, genuine, and kind." | "He represented policing at its best. He was everything you wanted in a police officer. Authentic, brave, genuine, and kind." |
Mrs Harper placed her husband's police hat on his coffin, while members of PC Harper's family also laid symbols of his life in front of a large photograph of him inside the cathedral. | |
Songs by Shirley Bassey and Russell Watson were played during the service, in addition to performances from the cathedral's choir. | Songs by Shirley Bassey and Russell Watson were played during the service, in addition to performances from the cathedral's choir. |
Colleague PC Jordan Johnstone paid tribute to his "infectious smile and relentless humour". | |
"I'm privileged to have worked with you and even more so to call you my friend," he added. | |
At the scene | At the scene |
By BBC News correspondent Helena Wilkinson in Oxford | By BBC News correspondent Helena Wilkinson in Oxford |
PC Harper had married his childhood sweetheart Lissie just 28 days before he died. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | PC Harper, from Wallingford in Oxfordshire, was killed on the A4 Bath Road while investigating a reported break-in. |
Thames Valley Police said its flags would be flying at half-mast as a mark of respect to the officer. | |
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." |
Thames Valley Police Federation chairman Craig O'Leary said PC Harper was "a hero" who "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. | |
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. |