MORE THAN 800 mourners were at the funeral of PC Andrew Harper as his wife paid tribute to a ‘gentle giant with a heart of gold’ at a private service.

The 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer was killed on August 15 while responding to a burglary four weeks after his wedding.

Yesterday, PC Harper’s widow Lissie, as well as his parents Phil and Debbie and brother Sean, were among 800 mourners who attended a funeral at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.

The service was also attended by uniformed police officers from PC Harper’s force and neighbouring units, as well as members of other emergency services and Home Secretary Priti Patel.

At the service broadcast to a second overspill church, Mrs Harper remembered her husband as the ‘kindest of kind and sweetest of sweet’.

She told the congregation: “Although Andrew was strong he was also unfailingly kind, a gentle giant with a heart of gold.

“To me, Andrew was everything. My breakfast buddy, my dancing partner, the love of my life.”

Mrs Harper said their 13-year relationship began as ‘true childhood sweethearts’.

She continued: “You used to tell me we were a team and that we would get through all of life’s hurdles together, how I wish you were here with me now.

“The hardest challenge of all is losing you.

"My lovely boy, I miss you more and more as the days pass into weeks, my love for you will never fade, the sound of your laugh will stay with me."

Oxford Mail:

Jordan Johnstone reading his tribute to his colleague and friend

Read her full tribute here

The service began with a short procession through the city, led by four mounted officers and watched by crowds who gathered outside the church to pay their respects.

After the cortege had arrived in the quad and the family had made their way inside, the coffin of the fallen police officer went through a Guard of Honour – made up of PC Harper’s police unit, the Roads Policing Proactive Unit, where he was based in Abingdon.

As the service began, the coffin was then taken inside and placed in the centre of the large cathedral, covered in a navy blue flag with the force’s crest on the sides.

Mrs Harper was presented with her late husband’s white ceremonial police hat which she placed on his coffin for the duration of the service.

In addition to prayers from Thames Valley Police lead chaplain Rev Helen Arnold, a colleague from the Roads Policing Unit PC Jordan Johnstone paid tribute to the fallen officer.

Talking about PC Harper’s “infectious” smile and his hobbit-like eating habits, Pc Johnstone said: “Your personality shone through throughout and I’m so very very proud of you.

“I’m privileged to have worked with you and even more so to call you my friend.”

Read more: the funeral as it happened

Oxford Mail:

Members of Pc Harper’s family laid symbols of his life in front of a large photo of him as part of the service, including a Mr Men mug, a box of eggs and a jar of Nutella. Mrs Harper placed their wedding ring boxes.

The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr Martyn Percy, gave the address marking “an exceptional man”, prior to the final blessing by the Bishop of Oxford.

Dr Percy said: “Andrew’s completely unexpected, sudden and tragic death reminds us of the routine risks that police officers take each day.

“No-one ever anticipates an ordinary call-out ending in such tragedy.

“Some might say he was an ordinary man doing an ordinary job. I disagree.

“He represented policing at its best.

“He was everything you wanted in a police officer.”

A private committal and wake for the close members of Pc Harper’s family followed the funeral.

Across the Thames Valley flags were flown at half-mast to commemorate the service.