A year on since PC Andrew Harper's funeral in Oxford

PC Harper died on August 15 last year in the line of duty after being dragged behind a car for more than a mile down country roads while he was responding to a burglary.

Read more: 14-year-old boy threatened in 'terrifying' robbery 

At his funeral on October 14 last year, two months after his death, his colleagues bowed their heads as the coffin made its way through the silent crowded streets towards Christ Church Cathedral.

Pic PA media 

Horses from the Thames Valley Police mounted section led a convoy of black cars carrying PC Harper’s wife Lissie, brother Sean and other family members to the church – where more than 800 people including officers from his base in Abingdon, the head of the force John Campbell and Home Secretary Priti Patel gathered for a private funeral.

Ahead of the procession of cars, which started at Magdalen Bridge before making its way down High Street towards St Aldate’s, crowds of people stood at the barriers.

Read more: man charged with attempted murder 

Some of them were uniformed, including a squad of firefighters, who were among the first groups to secure a spot opposite the cathedral entrance.

As a sign of respect, the firefighters who were dressed in their yellow uniforms took off their helmets and bowed their heads as the coffin turned into the cathedral’s quad.

Other Thames Valley Police officers, who were not on duty, were also in the crowds.

One officer from Aylesbury, who did not want to be named, said at the time: “I crewed with Andrew, I have come to pay my respects.

“It’s a very sombre atmosphere but it’s so nice to see everybody come together to support this.

“It’s touched everybody as well, not just local police officers, but from around the UK too and everybody’s here – we’re police family.”

Read more: Oxford coronavirus test centre worker filmed in row with Youtuber 

Other residents armed with raincoats and umbrellas also waited on the pavements.

Josephine Fisher and Jenny Darnley, both from Oxford, explained how the tragic circumstances of PC Harper’s death had touched them and how they wanted to stand in solidarity with the police.

Ms Fisher said: “There has been a real added prominence that this young man, who was newly married, was killed in a random act of violence.

“I have sons and I think about how I would deal with that.”

The bells of Christ Church rang throughout the morning and 20 officers waited at the entrance to welcome the cortege.

Pic PA media 

The coffin of the fallen police officer went through a Guard of Honour – made up of PC Harper’s police unit, the Roads Policing Proactive Unit, where he was based.

Pic PA media 

PC Harper’s killers driver Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were all convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey earlier this year after a trial.

At the same court they were sentenced in July. - read the live story as it happened here 

Driver Long (right) was sent to prison for 16 years and Bowers (bottom left) and Cole (top left) 13 years each. They have all appealed against their sentences.