I can’t imagine life without your silly jokes and big hugs
PC’s widow in heartbreaking tribute as man, 20, is charged with his murder
THE GRIEVING widow of PC Andrew Harper last night said she ‘did not know how she would go on without’ him.
In a touching tribute in the form of an open letter to her husband, Lissie Harper said she ‘can’t begin to imagine’ life without his ‘silly jokes, size 14 feet, large appetite, big hugs, Sunday roasts, and never faltering positive attitude’.
She added: ‘Anyone who was lucky enough to meet you, whether they knew you as Andrew, Andy, Uncle Mann, Harps or PC Harper – to everyone you are a hero. You had the best sense of humour and never took life too seriously. You treasured every moment and always had a smile on your face.’
Mrs Harper also said she ‘wants to be angry’ that the 28-year- old’s job as a serving police officer ‘ took him away from us’, but concedes he loved the job and ‘genuinely cared for everyone’. Her statement came as police charged Jed Foster, 20, from Reading, with murder and theft of a quad bike. He will appear at the town’s magistrates’ court this morning.
Yesterday heartbroken colleagues of PC Harper paid tribute to the fallen officer at the spot where he was mown down while responding to a burglary in Sulhamstead in Berkshire last Thursday.
Many officers clutched each other for support at the scene where the newly wed officer died. Yesterday his half- sister Kate Hopkins posted a picture of him on his wedding day, saying simply: ‘I miss you buddy.’
Another officer, PC Gareth Phillips, seriously injured during a separate attack in Birmingham earlier this month, also sent his prayers to PC Harper’s family. Mr and Mrs Harper got married just last month. They were due to go on their honeymoon this week.
In her open letter, Mrs Harper painted a touching picture of her dead husband.
She said: ‘The lights have dimmed on all of our lives now that you are no longer here, but it’s no surprise that even when you’re gone, you’re still keeping us all going, knowing that you would tell us to carry on and stay strong.’ She continued: ‘Even now I can still hear you nagging me to brush my teeth, get dressed and eat something. We are all feeling so very lost without you but we are trying to be as brave as you were.
‘ You have so, so many friends my love and everyone loves you. The messages, support, and kind words about you have been overwhelming and I can’t thank everyone enough. You loved to go on adventures and find new places to explore. You could fix absolutely anything and always took time to offer help to family, friends and neighbours. A pillar of strength to everyone.’
The tribute concluded: ‘My heart is broken without you my sweetheart but my god I feel so lucky that it was me you chose to share your amazing life with. You have imprinted so much love and laughter on to all of our lives and we are honoured for that.
‘Although we were married for only 28 days before you were cruelly taken away, 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. Forever you will be remembered as the best of us. I will carry your love with me always.
‘Your loving wife, Lissie x.’
‘Genuinely cared for everyone