'Our lives are torn apart': Police officers and family fall silent to remember PC Andrew Harper

PC Harper's brother is among family members to pay new tributes, calling him the "funniest, bravest, most compassionate person".

PC Harper 'a dearly loved and respected colleague'

A minute's silence has been held to remember PC Andrew Harper eight days after he was killed, as his family say their "lives and hearts have been torn apart".
Against a backdrop of flowers, colleagues joined members of his family for the silence at Thames Valley Police's training centre.

Other officers across the country also joined in the silence at 11am - which started with the blow of a whistle.
Thames Valley's chief constable said PC Harper was a "dearly loved and respected colleague, friend and proud police officer".

Image: Thames Valley officers paused to remember their colleague

"This police family to which he belonged will not forget him," added the force's chaplain.

Members of the 28-year-old's family placed a sunflower and a bouquet among the sea of flowers.

Earlier, the young officer's mother said their "lives and hearts have been torn apart" but that all the support and tributes were helping them "keep faith in the human race".

She said her son had "always lived with dignity, honour and calmness" and "everything he did was with a smile".
"A big part of me has gone with you, I cannot imagine our lives going forward but we will do so with Andrew in our hearts," said his mother, Debbie.
The family also released new tributes and pictures of the newlywed, who died from multiple injuries after being dragged by a car while responding to a reported burglary near Sulhamstead in Berkshire.

Image: PC Harper's brother Sean (pictured) said he 'always had my back'

Image: PC Harper's wife said he was 'perfect' and gave her the 'happiest 13 years of my life'

His brother, Sean, said the officer "always had my back" and was the "funniest, bravest, most compassionate person" he's ever known.
He wrote: "I'm praying that one day I am going to wake up and see you, that I will hear your voice and you will tell me you are alright.

Image: PC Harper with his father-in-law Simon

Image: PC Harper's father said he was a 'hero' and 'had time for everyone'

"I will tell you that you are the best brother and will ask if I ever told you that I love you."
Jed Foster, 20, has been charged with PC Harper's murder and is in custody following a court appearance earlier this week.
His lawyer said he denies "any involvement in the horrific murder".

Image: Andrew Harper had only been married for four weeks

Image: Andrew Harper and his wife with his sister and father (left), and stepmum and brother (right)

PC Harper's father and sister are also among those to release new tributes today.
His father Phil called him a "hero, if not a superhero".
"You had time for everyone, time to listen to them, bringing comfort and calmness wherever you went," he wrote.
"You would always put yourself forward to look after the people around you, and would always see the good in others."
His sister Aimee said: "I think we all can't help but wish you were a little less brave so then we could still have you here, but you were a protector at heart.

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"You looked out for us all and I took it for granted that I always had you at the end of my phone if I was in trouble."
PC Harper was based at Abingdon in Oxfordshire and had only been married for four weeks.
His wife paid an eloquent and emotional tribute to him in the days after he was killed on 15 August.
"My husband you were perfect," she wrote. "I will never ever stop loving you and I feel so grateful for the happiest thirteen years of my life.
"Our superman, our bodyguard, our light in the dark. My god we will miss you. Forever you will be remembered as the best of us."
A fundraising page set up by the Thames Valley Police Federation has so far raised more than £260,000 for PC Harper's family.