‘Our lives have been torn apart...’ mum’s agony over tragic PC
THE grief-stricken mother of PC Andrew Harper last night said her family’s “lives and hearts have been torn apart” by his death.
As tens of thousands of officers from police forces across Britain fell silent to honour the late constable, his loved ones paid a heartfelt tribute.
PC Harper, a roads policing officer from Thames Valley Police, was killed last Thursday near the village of Sulhamstead, Berkshire, after responding to reports of a burglary.
The 28-year-old, who became a regular officer in 2011 after joining as a special constable a year earlier, was attending a reported break-in with a fellow officer at about 11pm. He died from multiple injuries after he was dragged under a vehicle.
Mother Debbie said: “Our lives and hearts have been torn apart.
Superhero
“We are devastated, but as Andrew always lived with dignity, honour and calmness we intend to grieve in this way.
“A big part of me has gone with you. I cannot imagine our lives going forward but we will do so with Andrew in our hearts.”
PC Harper had only been married to his sweetheart Lissie for 28 days when he was killed.
His father Phil said: “On August 15, our planet lost a very special person, in our eyes and many others, a hero, if not a superhero.
“When you passed, we lost a part of our hearts that can’t be replaced. You always made us laugh, always bringing tears of happiness to our eyes.
“You loved your job so much, we knew there was always a risk, but it was something you had always wanted to do and we were so privileged to meet some of your great colleagues.
“Rest in peace my son, you have made us so proud of you and we will always love and miss you.”
Brother Sean, best man at PC Harper’s summer wedding in Cornwall, said: “It saddens me that I have to tell you how much you meant to me in this way, but I just hope that you knew all along.
“You were there for me from the start, back when we were two scruffy kids discovering what it means to grow up. I always looked up to you and you shaped me into who I am today.
“It’s no coincidence that every one of your interests quickly became mine. You were there for me when I needed you, or when I just wanted to spend time with you, and you always had my back.
“I’m praying that one day I am going to wake up and see you, that I will hear your voice and you will tell me you are alright.
“I will tell you that you are the best brother and will ask if I ever told you that I love you.
“It was only weeks ago that I was writing your best man’s speech, but I am so grateful that we were all able to spend the perfect day together, as you married the love of your life, my new sister.
“I have so much to thank you for, more than I could ever put into words.
“And I just hope that you can see how much you are loved by everyone around you.”
Yesterday at 11am, police forces across the country were joined by emergency workers from fire and rescue and ambulance services as they observed a minute’s silence.
More than 100 uniformed officers fell silent at PC Harper’s old training centre in Berkshire, where hundreds of floral tributes have been laid all week.
Chief Constable John Campbell called PC Harper, who grew up in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, a “dearly loved and respected colleague, friend and proud police officer”.
Force chaplain Helen Arnold, who led the remembrance service, said: “This police family to which
he belonged will not forget him. ”A heartbreaking picture released by PC Harper’s grieving family shows him carrying his young niece Ellie on his shoulders.
Honoured
While another shows him sharing a joke with sister-in-law Kate on his wedding day.
Lissie said: “My heart is broken without you my sweetheart but I feel so lucky that it was me you chose to share your amazing life with. You have imprinted so much love and laughter onto all of our lives and we are honoured for that.
“Although we were married for only 28 days before you were cruelly taken away from me, my husband, you were perfect.
“I will never ever stop loving you and I feel so grateful for the happiest 13 years of my life. Our superman, our bodyguard, our light in the dark. My god we will miss you.” PC Harper’s sister Aimee said: “It takes my breath away every time the realisation sets in that I will never get to see you again. But we were so, so lucky to all be together for the wedding, which was perfect. You always brought us together.”
His grandparents, affectionately known as Nan and Bubba, said: “Our grandson was the finest of all men you could ever have met. Always ready to help anyone with a broad smile, we have a photo of when he was only a few hours old, which we will treasure forever.
“He will be loved and never forgotten in all of our hearts and we are so glad to have been his grandparents, and treasure the nickname he gave his grandad, which everyone has adopted, thanks to him.”
PC Harper’s parents-in-law Julie and Simon said: “None of us can fully take in the enormity of the sense of loss that Andrew’s death has caused us. Everyone who ever had the privilege to meet Andrew felt that little bit better that he had been a part of their lives.”
A fundraising page set up by the Thames Valley Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers serving with the force, has raised more than £260,000.
Jed Foster, 20, has been remanded in custody after being charged with murder.