Newlywed's heartbreaking tribute to police officer husband killed weeks after wedding
The wife of a police officer who died just 28 days after getting married has delivered a tribute shortly after a man was charged with his murder.
“To my best friend,” wife of Andrew Harper, Lissie wrote.
“The kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet. You were brave, funny, and always there for anyone who needed it.
“There is not enough paper in the world to even begin to write a tribute for you, but no one deserves it more.”
Lissie and Andrew were married for just 28 days when the English policemen was killed in the line of duty, attending to a reported burglary.
“I want to be angry that your job took you away from us but I know you loved it and always wanted to keep everyone safe, especially me,” Lissie wrote. “You went the extra mile whenever you could and genuinely cared for everyone.”
Other than work, Andrew loved music, movies, travel, adventure, animals and spending time with his brothers, sisters and Lissie’s family.
“Although we were married for only 28 days before you were cruelly taken away from me, my husband you were perfect,” Lissie wrote.
“I will never ever stop loving you and I feel so grateful for the happiest thirteen years of my life.”
Lissie described Andrew as a “pillar of strength” to those in his life and said she can’t imagine life without his “silly jokes, size 14 feet, large appetite, big hugs, Sunday roasts, and never faltering positive attitude”.
“You kept me going if I was down and took care of us all until the last.”
Thames Valley Police launched a murder investigation following the incident which happened last Thursday.
“A Post Mortem was carried out on Andrew’s body yesterday, and the cause of death has been recorded as multiple injuries,” Detective Superintendent Ailsa Kent of the Major Crime Unit said.
“The cause of death is consistent with our current belief that Andrew was caught between a vehicle and the road, and then dragged for a distance.
“However, the circumstances as to how Andrew came to be out of his vehicle and then caught under the suspect vehicle and dragged, is unknown.”
Detective Superintendent Kent said within an hours of the incident, 10 males aged between 13 and 30 were arrested on suspicion of murder.
Man, 20, charged with murder
On Monday, Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Narwal announced a 20-year-old man had been charged with the murder of PC Andrew Harper and theft of a quad bike.
Tributes and flowers were left at the scene and there was a moment of silence for Andrew during a Reading FC and Cardiff City football match.
In the wake of Andrew’s death, a fundraising page has been set up by the Thames Valley Police Federation, with all money going to the family.
“Police officers all over Thames Valley and the rest of the UK go to work each and every day to do their duty,” the page says.
“We confront danger on a daily basis. We know there is a risk when we put on the uniform but we do so as we are proud to protect the public.
“Sadly on very rare and horrendous occasions a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten. All our thoughts remain with Andrew’s wife, family, friends and close colleagues.”
The fundraiser has surpassed the goal of £120,000 ($A215,096), with over £200,000 raised.
“RIP, Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made to keep others safe,” one person wrote on the page.
“A good man lost serving our community. My thoughts are with Andrew's family and colleagues,” another said.
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