Yahoo News Andrew Harper: Newlywed police officer, 28, killed on duty at suspected burglary
PC Andrew Harper killed on Thursday attending suspected burglary
‘Highly-regarded, popular’ officer had been married for one month
PC Harper was dragged along behind a vehicle during the incident
First pictures emerged of PC Harper, who was ‘well known across force’
This is the police officer who was killed while attending a suspected burglary in Berkshire.
PC Andrew Harper, 28, died while performing his duties during the incident on Thursday night near Sulhamstead in Berkshire.
Ten people including a 13-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of murder and a murder investigation has been launched.
The force said PC Harper, from the Roads Policing Proactive Unit based at Abingdon Police Station, was attending a reported burglary near the A4, Bath Road, between Reading and Newbury at around 11.30pm.
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell confirmed that PC Harper died after being dragged along the road behind a vehicle.
Authorities said on Friday that PC Harper was married four weeks ago and he was reportedly due to go on honeymoon next week.
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell said it was a “terrible day” for the force.
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At a press conference, he said: “We are all shocked and saddened by the death of our colleague Pc Andrew Harper.”
He added: “Tragically Andrew was attending a reported burglary along with a crew mate and was killed at the scene whilst performing his duties.”
PC Harper becomes the the first policeman to be killed on duty since PC Keith Palmer was stabbed to death during the Westminster terror attack in 2017.
The force said the incident happened at the crossroads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill.
On Friday officers remain at the scene, which was cordoned off while forensic investigators gathered items that lay on the road and took photographs.
Police were also seen searching the inside of a grey BMW that was at the scene, according to witnesses, while pictures showed a trail of blood on the road leading across the junction.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik, from the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident, and I would like to reassure the public as well as our officers and staff that we have launched a full and thorough investigation to establish what has happened.
“We have made a total of ten arrests in connection with this incident, and those arrested are currently in police custody. Those arrested are all male and aged between 13 and 30.”
A West Midlands police constable was facing “potentially life-changing” injuries after being run over by a suspected car thief in Birmingham last week, while Metropolitan Police constable Stuart Outten, 28, was also left with head and hand injuries after challenging a suspect allegedly armed with a machete in Leyton, east London.
Tributes poured in for the latest fallen policeman on Friday morning.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply shocked and appalled” by the death of “brave” Pc Harper.
He said: "It is the most powerful reminder that police officers up and down the country put themselves at risk every single day to keep us safe.
"They have my absolute support."
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "My thoughts are with the family of Pc Andrew Harper who was killed in the line of duty last night”.
Labour MP and shadow policing and crime minister Louise Haigh tweeted: "Absolutely horrific news, my thoughts are with PC Andrew Harper's loved ones and the whole police family at this terrible time.
Absolutely horrific news, my thoughts are with PC Andrew Harper's loved ones and the whole police family at this terrible time.
Althought it won't bring him back, I hope the culprit is swiftly brought to justice. https://t.co/CQO7CG1PwL— Louise Haigh MP (@LouHaigh) August 16, 2019
"(Although) it won't bring him back, I hope the culprit is swiftly brought to justice."
Andy Fiddler, from Thames Valley Police Federation, said: "This is totally devastating news. All our thoughts - and the thoughts of the entire police family across the UK - are with the family, friends and close colleagues of Pc Andrew Harper who died last night.
"Police officers go to work each and every day to do their duty. We are courageous, caring and compassionate. 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."
