PC HARPER’S widow is more determined than ever to fight for a new law change which will see killers of emergency service workers face a lifetime behind bars.

Lissie Harper has said she is ‘fully supported’ by Andrew’s dad Phil, step mum Karen, brother Sean and siter Aimee in her quest.

Yesterday Mrs Harper changed the name of her campaign from ‘Andrew’s Law’ to ‘Harper’s Law’ to avoid confusion with his mum’s campaign for the same thing.

Oxford Mail:

Read the full story here - PC's widow changes campaign name to avoid 'confusion'.

She has vowed to remain in the limelight to fight for the law change in her husband’s memory which, if successful, will see all convicted killers of police officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, prison officers or paramedics to be jailed ‘for life’.

Mrs Harper spent the weekend privately remembering Andrew – who was killed in the line of duty on August 15, 2019 after trying to apprehend three thieves near Sulhamstead.

Oxford Mail:

Read: tributes paid to 'Harps' one year on from his death 

He accidentally walked into a crane strap that was used to tow a quad bike behind their car and was dragged for more than a mile by his ankles down country roads at speeds of up to 40mph.

Today Mrs Harper will meet with her local MP John Howell ahead of a meeting with Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Oxford Mail:

She said: “Our justice system is broken. And we need Harper’s Law to help fix it. I have witnessed first-hand the lenient and insufficient way in which the justice system deals with criminals who take the lives of our emergency workers.

“Sadly nothing I do will bring Andrew back - but I know he would be proud of me for seeking to bring about a law change, which will hopefully act as a deterrent to anyone considering doing to one of his fellow emergency service workers the terrible thing that happened to him.

“Harper’s Law will ensure those that commit these offences aren’t out again on the streets in a matter of weeks while the families of the victims suffer their own life sentences. That would be far more just.”

She added: “I have been overwhelmed by the thousands of people from across the country who have publicly backed our campaign since we announced its launch and I would like to thank everyone for their support and their messages. We will continue to need public backing as we progress.

Oxford Mail:

Lissie Harper outside the Old Bailey on the day of conviction. 

“But I have to acknowledge that our original plan to call the campaign ‘Andrew’s Law’ has been causing potential confusion to the public – with it already being used in America and it being used for a different goal by Andrew’s mother - so felt it important to change the name to Harper’s Law at this early juncture.

“What hasn’t changed is the aim of the campaign and what we are fighting for: Anyone killing a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, prison officers or paramedic should spend the rest of their lives behind bars. No ifs. No buts.”

His obituary: Andrew Harper, a 'gentle giant' killed on the front line

In 2013, then Home Secretary Theresa May told hundreds of police officers at the Police Federation Annual Conference that criminals who kill a police officer should automatically face life in prison without parole.

She said: “We ask police officers to keep us safe by confronting and stopping violent criminals for us. We ask them to take risks so that we don’t have to. That is why I am clear that: life should mean life for anyone convicted of killing a police officer.”

But nothing ever came of it.

PC Harper’s Thames Valley Police Federation colleague Sgt Andy Fiddler, who has been supporting Lissie since his death in August last year, said: “On August 15 last year Andrew should have been going home to his wife Lissie and looking forward to a long and loving marriage and a highly successful career.

Oxford Mail:

Lissie and Andrew on their wedding day, four weeks before his death

“He stayed on four hours after his shift finished to combat crime. That’s what police officers do. But on that summer night his life was taken away from him by cowardly criminals who are not worthy of being named.

“They should be spending the rest of their lives in jail for their despicable crime. They will not.

Read more: PC Harper's mum writes to Harry Dunn's alleged killer

“And that is why we need a 'Harper’s Law', which would see criminals convicted of killing emergency services workers spend the rest of their lives in jail.”

He added: “Those guilty of such a wicked and deliberate crime such as killing a police officer forfeit their right to freedom.

“Those responsible should face the rest of their lives in prison. Those in society who hurt those there to protect us should be dealt with the full force of the law and judicial system.

“The law must be changed.  We must protect the protectors.”

Oxford Mail:

Dash-cam footage from PC Andrew Harper's police car moments before he was dragged to his death.

Newly married Thames Valley Police officer PC Andrew Harper was killed on 15 August last year by Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole. The trio were convicted of manslaughter last month but cleared of murder.

Oxford Mail:

Long (right) was jailed for 16 years and Bowers (bottom left) and Cole (top left) for 13 years. The Attorney General is currently reviewing their sentences to see if they were too lenient.

Read more: Live sentencing at the Old Bailey of PC Harper's killers

The Harper’s Law campaign has the backing of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which is working with Lissie on the timescales and legal drafting of her demands, and high-profile politicians, including former Police Minister and Conservative MP Sir Mike Penning.

John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “The killing of a police officer should see those responsible face the rest of their lives in prison.

“This campaign would be Andrew’s legacy and we will continue to support Lissie in her efforts to seek justice and change the law for the greater good.”