More than 800 expected to attend ‘hero’ Pc Andrew Harper’s funeral

More than 800 people are expected to attend the funeral of police officer Pc Andrew Harper, who was killed while responding to a burglary just weeks after getting married.

The 28-year-old died in the line of duty on August 15 near the village of Sulhamstead in Berkshire.

Pc Harper, who was a well-known and popular officer for Thames Valley Police, died after being dragged under a van and suffered severe injuries.

His death devastated not only the force but also his new wife Lissie, who he had married just four weeks earlier and were due to go on their honeymoon on the week of the tragedy.

She described him as ‘the kindest, loveliest, most selfless’ person in a tribute to her late husband.

The officer was described as a ‘hero’ ahead of his funeral, which will be held on Monday at 11am at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.

Although it is a private funeral, Thames Valley Police said the public can ‘pay their respects along the processional route’.

However, the family has requested that no flowers are brought to the cathedral or to the procession.

Craig O’Leary, chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation, said Pc Harper’s death has shocked the whole force and that the officer was greatly loved by his family, friends and colleagues.

In a statement, Mr O’Leary said: ‘Pc Andrew Harper 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.

‘This has really hit us all hard and shocked everyone in the whole police service.’

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 quad bike.

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

Jed Foster, 20, was also accused of Pc Harper’s murder, but prosecutors dropped the charges against him as there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

Pc Harper’s family has asked for any donations to be made to the Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, or the Blue Cross re-homing centre in Lewknor.

Meanwhile, thousands have signed up to take part in a ‘ride of respect’ in the officer’s memory on October 27.

The motorcycle event is due to set off from RAF Benson to Abingdon Airfield in Oxfordshire.

Organiser Sian Sloper, from Caversham, said 2,240 people had registered to take part so far.

Police have warned of some disruption in the city due to road closures between 8am and 12.30pm for the funeral procession.

St Aldate’s will be closed from the city centre to its junction with Speedwell Street.

There will also be road closures on The Plain, Magdalen Bridge and High Street, police said.