Hundreds lined the streets for funeral of "treasured" Pc Andrew Harper
Tributes have been paid at the funeral of the "treasured" Pc Andrew Harper after he was killed while responding to a burglary.
Pc Harper's wife Lissie and his brother Sean were among 800 mourners who attended a private funeral at Christ Church cathedral in Oxford today (14/10)
The 28-year-old newlywed died from multiple injuries after he was dragged under a van on a road near Sulhamstead, Berkshire on 15 August.
Members of the public were welcomed to pay their respects along the processional route.
The service was preceded by a procession through the city, led by mounted officers of Thames Valley Police and watched by members of the public gathered outside the church.
The Dean of Christ Church paid tribute to PC Andrew Harper in his address at the policeman’s funeral.
“The tributes that have poured in for Andrew exemplify a truly outstanding young man – but also the very best virtues in policing,” the Very Revd Dr Martyn Percy said. “He represented policing at its best. He was everything you wanted in a police officer.”
As the service began, Pc Harper's coffin was placed in the centre of the large cathedral, covered in a navy blue flag with the police crest on the sides.
After the coffin was carried in by six uniformed officers, Mrs Harper placed her late husband's ceremonial police hat on his coffin for the duration of the service.
PC Harper, who married wife Lissie four weeks before his death, was killed on the A4 Bath Road while investigating a reported break-in.
He died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a van.
Mrs Harper said her husband, from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, was the "kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet".
More than 800 people were expected at his funeral.
The family requested that no flowers were brought to the cathedral or to the procession.
Police have warned of some disruption in the city due to road closures between 8am and 12.30pm for the funeral procession.
St Aldate’s will be closed from the city centre to its junction with Speedwell Street.
There will also be road closures on The Plain, Magdalen Bridge and High Street.