PC Andrew Harper's devastated mother pays tribute to murdered officer
The devastated mother of Andrew Harper, the police officer who was killed by a vehicle while responding to a suspected burglary last week, has posted a touching online tribute to her son.
Deborah Adlam posted a photograph of her and Andrew at his wedding last month, with a thin blue line superimposed across the image in support of police officers.
After his death was announced, friends of PC Harper paid tribute to him by changing their Facebook profile pictures to a thin blue line.
His aunt Rebecca wrote under Deborah’s photo: “I took this photo and if I remember rightly I was saying ‘cheese triangle’, a family saying when the kids were little we always said this when taking photos. Our hearts are broken nephew xx”’
A handwritten message which was attached to a bouquet of flowers at the police cordon reads ‘Sleep tight sweetheart’.
Ms Adlam wrote: “We will never recover. I feel your presence comforting me in my darkest hours and know there’s enough to share with all those who love and need you right now.
“Sleep tight sweetheart. See you one day.”
PC Harper, 28, was responding to a report of a burglary on Thursday in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when he was dragged along the road by a vehicle.
On Monday evening, police charged a man with the officer’s murder. Jed Foster, 20, has also been charged with theft of a quad bike in relation to the incident.
Nine other suspects aged between 13 and 30 have been released on bail.
Detectives investigating the death said the police officer died of "multiple injuries”.
He and his widow Lissie, who he had married just four weeks earlier, were days away from going on their honeymoon.
Detective Super Intendant Ailsa Kent told a press conference: "A postmortem was carried out on Andrew's body and the cause of death has been recorded as multiple injuries.
"That is consistent with our current belief that Andrew was caught between a vehicle and the road and then dragged for a distance."
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It remains unclear how PC Harper "came to be out of his vehicle and then caught under the suspect vehicle".
On Saturday, police and forensic teams searched a caravan and mobile home site, Four Houses Corner, about three miles from where PC Harper died.
Chief Constable John Campbell had confirmed on Friday that PC Harper died after being dragged along the road behind a vehicle.
Mr Campbell said commended him as a “highly regarded, popular member of the team” and added the force’s flags are flying at half mast as a sign of respect “in honour and memory of Andrew”.
The Police Roll of Honour Trust, which commends officers who have died in the line of duty, said Pc Harper’s death will be recorded on the list, adding: “His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”