PC Andrew Harper Funeral: Police Line The Streets To Mourn 'Brave, Genuine And Kind' Officer

The 28-year-old newlywed was killed on duty while attending a burglary in August.
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Uniformed officers have lined the streets of Oxford for the funeral of a police officer who was killed while he was on duty.

PC Andrew Harper was killed on August 15 while attending a burglary on the outskirts of a Berkshire village. He died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a van.

On Monday, Harper’s police colleagues lined the route as his funeral procession, which was led by officers on horseback, made its way to Christ Church Cathedral.

The 28-year-old was killed just a month after he married his childhood sweetheart, Lissie. The pair were due to go on honeymoon the week after he died.

Clergy lead the pallbearers as they carry the coffin of PC Andrew Harper
Clergy lead the pallbearers as they carry the coffin of PC Andrew Harper
PA Wire/PA Images

At Harper’s funeral on Monday – which was attended by hundreds of people – his wife placed his ceremonial police hat on his coffin, before making an emotional tribute.

Meanwhile, members of Harper’s family laid symbols of his life in front of a large photo of him, including a Mr Men mug, a box of eggs and a jar of Nutella.

The Dean of Christ Church cathedral, the Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy, commemorated a “kind, brave, strong and loyal man”.

“Some might say he was an ordinary man with an ordinary job,” he said. “I do not agree.

“He represented policing at its best. He was everything you wanted in a police officer. Authentic, brave, genuine and kind.”

Percy added: “Today we mourn an exceptional man who died in the line of duty, and even as we do we give thanks to each and every one here and watching.

“They selflessly serve our society, the thin blue line which runs through our community,” he said. “They continue to inspire us just as Andrew does.”

The service was also broadcast to a second overspill church, while Thames Valley Police flew its flags at half-mast.

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