THE widow of hero police officer PC Andrew Harper has made an emotional statement thanking the public and the police family for their 'overwhelming' support following his death on duty.

Lissie Harper said she would “never forget the generosity shown to me and my family and the respect to Andrew” as the memorial fund in her husband’s name is closed.

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PC Harper, of Thames Valley Police, was killed on duty in Sulhamstead on August 15.

The memorial fund - set up by colleagues in Thames Valley Police Federation following his death - has raised more than £325,000.

Within 24 hours of the fundraising page being set up, £50,000 was raised.

In the following weeks and months, several fundraising initiatives and tributes were set up in PC Harper's memory, including a Ride of Respect; football match silences, artistic tributes and more.

In her statement of thanks, Mrs Harper talked about the day her husband died, saying: "On that fateful night back in August I never thought I would feel joy again.

"I felt like I had stopped breathing, my heart felt a pain that was sharper than any feeling I had ever thought possible" but added that the "outpouring of support and kindness" pulled her 'out of the darkness'.

She described Andrew as "one of the many good guys in the world", and asked for people to support causes Andrew believed in, such as those that support the fallen or injured police officers.

Read the full tribute here.