Widow of cop dragged to death shows touching gesture for officer hit by train
The widow of a police officer who was dragged to his death by thugs has showed her support for another detective killed in the line of duty.
Lissie Harper, 32, suffered the heartbreak of losing her husband four years ago when, on his last shift before their honeymoon, Andrew was caught on a strap attached to a Seat Toledo making a getaway. He was dragged down a road in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, and suffered fatal injuries.
Since the tragedy and the imprisonment of the three teenagers responsible, Lissie began a campaign and, last year, "Harper's Law" bill received Royal Assent. It gives mandatory life sentences to the killers of emergency services workers.
On Tuesday, Lissie, a business owner in the arts and crafts sector, changed her Facebook profile image to that of the symbol of the "thin blue line", which represents the law enforcement community. Many in the community united behind the image this week to show support for Sergeant Graham Saville, killed as he tried to save a desperate man's life on a level crossing near Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.
Dozens of people liked Lissie's poignant gesture, which came just days after Sgt Saville's death was announced by Nottinghamshire Police. Another Facebook user, also with a temporary profile image to mark the passing, shared a heart emoji to support Lissie.
Tragedy as 13-month-old boy dies after the stolen car he was in crashedMirror has approached the business owner, who lives in Oxford, to offer her to share her thoughts on the latest officer who died in the line of duty. However, the policing community says the "thin blue line" logo is widely recognised as a mark of solidarity at difficult times like this.
A charity, also called Think Blue Line UK, which is operated by police officers and promotes mental health and well-being backed the subtle gesture, seen widely across social media at the moment. Reacting to Sgt Saville's death, it posted on Facebook: "Absolutely horrific news.
"This is desperately sad. Our thoughts are with Sgt Saville's family, friends and colleagues... Nottinghamshire Police officer hit by train while helping man dies." Dozens of followers, including people in the policing community, shared the logo and other poignant images, such as blue candles and blue hearts.
After Andrew Harper's death in 2019, friends of the hero PC paid tribute to him by changing their Facebook profile pictures to the "thin blue line" in a similar mark of respect.
Dad-of-two Sgt Saville, 46, was hit by a train on the East Coast Mainline after his force received calls around concerns for a man’s safety last Thursday. Another man, 29, was taken to hospital after suffering non-life-threatening electrocution injuries.
Speaking after the tragedy, Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Constabulary, said: "Today is a day of mourning for the entire police family. Graham was a hugely respected and popular colleague and his death in the line of duty has come as an enormous shock to us all.
"Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and we will do everything we can to support them through this unimaginably devastating time. It is impossible to put into words how devastating this news is for everyone who loved and respected Graham."
Rishi Sunak paid tribute to Sergeant Graham Saville, saying his death is a "terrible reminder" of the work police do every day to keep the public safe. He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Sergeant Saville. It is a testament to his bravery that he died in the line of duty and a terrible reminder of the work the police do every day to keep us safe. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the whole of Nottinghamshire Police Force."
Last year, Lissie reflected on her future in what she expected to be her final media interview. She said: "I know for a fact that Andrew would want me to be happy. And I can only tell you that if it was the other way around, I know that I would want him to meet somebody and have all the things that people are supposed to have... So yes, I do want to find happiness again."