A mural dedicated to PC Andrew Harper has been painstakingly put together after more than 20,000 people from around the world donated their epaulettes and badges to honour the fallen Thames Valley Police officer.
PC Andrew Harper was killed after responding to reports of a burglary in August last year just one week before he was due to go on his honeymoon.
The campaign was started by PC Stuart Roberts to celebrate the men and women who work in “protective services” – such as first responders.
Sam Bailey, the artist behind the work, said:
“It makes you realise the risks these people take on a daily basis.”
As well as first responders, the armed forces and other uniformed services are all represented in the impressive artwork.
PC Roberts had initially wanted to create a display at the National Memorial Arboretum, but the mural will be unveiled at the Caroline Chisholm School in Northampton.
It will then be framed and displayed at a venue in Sheffield next month (March 2020).
PC Roberts, based with Northamptonshire Police, said:
“What we have now have is a mural to commemorate all those lost and to celebrate the on-going work that everyone does every day”.
The badges have come from all around the world, including Australia, Honolulu, Ghana, the Falklands, Sudan, Russia and the United States.
Ms Bailey, who worked 14-hour days to complete the project, said:
“I really understand how important it is for families that their loved one is remembered.
“Every time I look at it, I can’t help but feel pride.”
PC Harper, 28, died after he was dragged along the road by a vehicle in Berkshire.
He had been married for four weeks, and his death began an outpouring of international support for his fiance, Lissie, PC Harpers family, friends and colleagues.
When a GoFundMe page was set up by the Thames Valley Police Federation, a fundraising target of £10,000 was initially set.
But this target was reached in less than 12 hours of the campaign going live.
Nearly £330,000 was raised for PC Harper’s family.
Even though the art project has finished, badges are still being sent into the team responsible for organising the mural.
Find us in the new Google News App – search for ‘Emergency Services News’ and then click on the ‘star’ symbol to follow ESN.
CLICK here to join our Emergency Services News community on Facebook.
Our social media group/community is open to both the public and emergency services personnel.
It is also a great place to share any emergency services related content (such as videos) which you have filmed.
If you have a story or video that you would like us to cover/share, then you can contact our team via contact@emergency-services.news
We also cover stories which relate to the NHS, the armed forces and the security services.
