The devastated wife of murdered Thames Valley police officer Andrew Harper described him as the ‘love of her life’ at his funeral today.
Lissie Harper paid tribute to her ‘gentle giant husband with a heart of gold’ at the service in Oxford.
The newlywed, 28, was on duty with Thames Valley Police when he was killed on 15 August while responding to a burglary near the village of Sulhamstead in Berkshire.
He died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a van.
Around 800 people attended the private funeral service in Christ Church Cathedral, while hundreds of uniformed officers and members of the public lined the streets for the procession.
Some officers were seen in tears as the coffin, draped in a navy flag with the police crest on the side, passed through the city centre.
Lissie Harper paid tribute to her late husband, saying they were ‘childhood sweethearts’ who had been together for 13 years.
She said: ‘From the ever sweet, lanky and red-faced boy passing me notes in class, to the strong and loyal man you grew to be I have always known how special you are.
‘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.
‘To me, Andrew was everything.
‘My breakfast buddy, my dancing partner, the love of my life.’
As members of Pc Harper’s family were invited to lay mementos in front of a framed wedding photo at the front of the church, Mrs Harper placed their wedding ring boxes.
Mrs Harper told the congregation about the activities the pair shared including trips to the beach and extreme sports and that he was ‘always ready for the next adventure’.
She said: ‘My lovely boy, I miss you more and more as the days pass into weeks, my love will never fade and the sound of your laugh will stay with me.
‘Your beautiful smile and warm embrace will fill my dreams and comfort me as you always have.
‘If everyone on this earth had just an ounce of the kindness and generosity that Andrew had I know it would be a better place.’
A colleague from the Roads Policing Unit, Pc Jordan Johnstone, also paid tribute to the fallen officer.
Pc Johnstone, who called Andrew by the nickname ‘Harps’, said: ‘I remember Harps’ first day on traffic.
‘He arrived in the office with a clean white hat, shiny boots and an incredible range of Tupperware.
‘We laughed, we joked and we never stopped smiling.
‘Like a hobbit, his day revolved around seven meals required to keep those massive feet moving.
‘Your smile was infectious, your humour relentless.
‘Your personality shone through throughout and I’m so very very proud of you.
‘I’m privileged to have worked with you and even more so to call you my friend.’
Pc Harper’s family has asked for any donations to be made to the local 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 bike ride in Pc Harper’s memory on October 27 which 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 murdering Pc Harper 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 all charges against him.
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