A man has been charged with murdering 28-year-old PC Andrew Harper who was killed on duty. The police officer from the Thames Valley Police died on Thursday in Berkshire after we was dragged along the road by a vehicle whilst investigating a burglary.
PC Andrew Harper // Family Handout
PC Harper had just got married four weeks ago and his newly wife has described her husband as “the kindest, loveliest, most selfless person”.
Jed Foster, 20, from Reading, has been charged with his murder plus the theft of a quad bike. He appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning and has denied the “horrific murder”.
Chief crown prosecutor Jaswant Narwal said: “We will offer to meet with PC Harper’s family to explain the basis of the decision we have made following a lengthy review of the evidence available.”
Jed Forster is just one of the ten men aged between 13 and 30 who was arrested shortly after the PC’s death. The other nine men have been bailed until September 13th.
Pic: Mark Lord Photography
Paying tribute to her husband, PC Harper’s wife Lissie said: “We had so many plans for the future, you wanted to do it all. My darling boy I do not know how I will be able to survive without you.
“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.
“We are all feeling so very lost without you but we are trying to be as brave as you were.
“You loved to go on adventures and find new places to explore. If there was a mountain to climb, you’d be there at the top. Bike rides and long walks, you loved it all. Never still, never down, so full of life.
“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.
“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.”
A post mortem of PC Harper showed he died of multiple injuries. A fundraising page was set up to raise fund of the family of PC Harper and so far has raised over £210,000 which is over the original £120,000 target.
Tributes and flowers are being left in memory of PC Andrew Harper.
Friends, family and colleagues of PC Harper have laid flowers at the scene in Sulhamstead.
We want to sincerely thank everyone for their messages of support following Thursday’s tragic events. pic.twitter.com/O1jjz1YweN
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) August 18, 2019
