Andrew Harper is a PC police officer who was killes in the line of duty. After going throught the tragic loss, his widow Lissie has said she is prepared to “find happiness again.” She said that she would no longer be in the public eye.
After the Government-backed her requests for mandatory life terms for people who kill an emergency services worker while committing a crime, she declared that she plans to “move forwards” and essentially retire from public life when Harper’s Law becomes law.
What Happened To Andrew Harper?
During duty, 28-year-old English police officer Andrew Harper was killed close to Sulhamstead, Berkshire, England.
Harper and another officer responded to a burglary allegation when Harper was dragged behind a car for a mile and repeatedly flung into trees before suffering fatal injuries.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers received 13 years in prison, while Henry Long received a 16-year term for the manslaughter of the Thames Valley Police traffic inspector.
A jury acquitted all three of the charges of murder. On the murder charge, they were acquitted. As a result of Harper’s murder, Harper’s Law was enacted, mandating a life sentence for anyone found guilty of killing an emergency worker.
On August 15, 2019, a home near Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, reported a burglary that was taking place by dialing 999 for Thames Valley Police and the theft of a quad bike.
In their inconspicuous BMW police car, Harper and partner constable Andrew Shaw responded to the call while wrapping up a surveillance stint in Reading.
The stolen quad bike was towed by a SEAT Toledo when Shaw and Harper came across it on Admoor Lane close to Bradfield Southend.
Harper, the BMW’s passenger, got out of the police car and sprinted to the suspects’ car. He attempted to do so but got caught in a strap used to pull the quad bike.
Harper was “lassoed” to the back of the SEAT as the suspects headed southeast on Lambden’s Hill without the quad bike.
Even when Shaw lost sight of the SEAT, he could still spot Harper’s stab vest lying in the road.
Death Of PC Officer Leads To Creation Of Harper’s Law
Lissie Harper was a successful advocate for “Harper’s Law,” which mandates mandatory life terms for anyone who murders emergency service personnel.
Harper received a posthumous honor from the Police Federation of England and Wales on January 28, 2020. The newest horse in Thames Valley Police’s mounted department will be called “Harper” in June 2020 as a memorial.
A campaign to pass new legislation mandating life in prison for criminals who kill any police officer, jail officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, or paramedic was started by Harper’s wife in August 2020. Separately, Harper’s mother started a campaign to mandate that murderers of police officers serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.
The Ministry of Justice announced on November 24, 2021, that they would introduce “Harper’s Law,” a bill that would extend mandatory life sentences to anyone who kills an emergency worker while they are on the job, including police, prison officers, firefighters, and paramedics, unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.
On April 28, 2022, the law was introduced to the statute book and is now a legal requirement.
Where Is Andrew Harper Wife Lissie Harper Now?
Lissie Harper asserted that she would leave the spotlight once her efforts to change the law in the wake of her husband’s murder were successful.
After the Government approved her requests for mandatory life terms for people who kill an emergency services worker while committing a crime, she declared that she plans to “move forwards” and essentially retire from public life when Harper’s Law becomes law.
In what she anticipates to be her last media appearance, she reflected on the future and said: “I know for a certainty that Andrew would want me to be happy.