PC Andrew Harper: More than 800 people expected to attend funeral for 'hero' Thames Valley Police officer
Mourners to line procession route through Oxford
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Your support makes all the difference.More than 800 people are expected to attend the funeral of a “hero” police officer who was killed in the line of duty.
PC Andrew Harper, 28, was responding to reports of a burglary in Berkshire when he was dragged under a van in August.
His wife, who he married just weeks before his death, family and friends are to attend his funeral at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford on Monday.
Police said more than 800 people are expected to attend the service itself, while others will be paying their respects along a processional route.
Flags across Thames Valley Police’s area will be flying at half-mast and all officers will be paying their respects.
Craig O’Leary, chairman of the force’s federation for rank-and-file officers, called PC Harper a “hero”.
“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 go to work each and every day to fight crime and protect the public. Sadly on very rare occasions a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten.”
Mr O’Leary said PC Harper was loved by his family, friends and colleagues, and is deeply missed.
“It goes without saying that this has been a terribly tough time for Andrew’s colleagues and the whole force,” he added.
“This has really hit us all hard and shocked everyone in the whole police service. But we are supporting each other as best we can.”
Thames Valley Police said that while the funeral service will be private, the public can “pay their respects along the processional route”.
Road closures are to be put in place in parts of Oxford city centre between 8am and 12.30pm on Monday.
PC Harper’s family has requested that no flowers are brought to the cathedral, procession or thrown at the cortege.
They asked for any donations to be made to the Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, or the Blue Cross re-homing centre in Lewknor.
More than 2,200 people have signed up to take part in a “ride of respect” in PC Harper’s memory on 27 October.
The motorcycle event is due to set off from RAF Benson to Abingdon Airfield in Oxfordshire.
Henry Long, 18, from Mortimer in Reading, and two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their age, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to steal a quadbike.
Thomas King, 21, from Basingstoke, is also accused of conspiracy to steal a quadbike.
Members of the public can leave messages of condolence to PC Harper’s family by emailing PCAndrewHarperCondolences@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk