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Newlywed police officer who was killed after being dragged along by car was due to go on honeymoon next week

26-year-old Andrew Harper was allegedly struck by a car and dragged under it for a distance before being hit by another car while responding to reports of a burglary
UPDATED AUG 16, 2019

SULHAMSTEAD, BERKSHIRE: A newlywed police officer was tragically killed while responding to reports of a burglary on Thursday, August 15.

PC Andrew Harper, 26, died after he was allegedly struck by a car in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, and then dragged under it for a distance before then being hit by another car, according to the Daily Mail

The gruesome incident is said to have taken place at around 11:30 pm near the A4 Bath Road between Reading and Newbury at the crossroads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill.

The location is just three miles from the home of Carole and Michael Middleton, the parents of the Duchess of Cambridge.

A police investigator at the scene of the incident where Andrew Harper was killed on August 16 (AP Photo)

Harper, an officer from the Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Proactive Unit who was based at the Abingdon Police Station in Oxfordshire, was reportedly one of the first to arrive at the scene after being notified about a burglary.

Harper had tied the knot as recently as four weeks ago and was due to go on his honeymoon next week.

Sally Benatar, leader of the South West Basic Command Unit in the Metropolitan Police, paid tribute to the fallen officer saying:  "So sad to read this. PC Harper was the officer in the case when my then-husband was arrested for domestic violence in 2016. He was on Thames Valley Police Response then. He was brilliant and gave me the courage to take steps to change my life. I can't thank him enough. He was a top officer."

His former colleague Fred Swanborough similarly said, "God bless, such a lovely bloke, had the pleasure of working alongside him for a short period last year. Thank you for your service PC Harper, RIP."

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson also expressed his condolences to Harper's family.

"I am deeply shocked and appalled by the death of a brave officer on duty in Thames Valley last night," he tweeted.

"My thoughts are with PC Harper's family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time."

"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."

Thames Valley Police said it was still trying to establish the exact circumstances in which PC Harper was killed and officers are still at the scene of the crime and have cordoned it off as they continue to gather evidence.

Forensic investigators were snapping photographs and gathering items that lay on the road, with multiple helicopters patrolling the skies as well.  

Ten males, the youngest of whom is just 13 years old, have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to Harper's death.

All are being held in custody at police stations across the Thames Valley region.

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