ITV viewers struggled to watch tonight's documentary about the death of PC Andrew Harper.
PC Harper sadly died in August 2019 at the age of 28, after he was fatally injured when he got caught in a tow rope, which was attached to the back of a getaway car. The killers were fleeing the scene after stealing a quadbike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.
The Killing of PC Harper: A Widow's Fight for Justice explored the court case, which saw Henry Long, 19, sentenced to 16 years for his part in the crime, whilst Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were given 13 years in custody. They were cleared of murder, but sentenced for the manslaughter of PC Harper.
The documentary also documents Lissie's plight to get Harper's Law, which calls for mandatory life sentences for those who kill emergency service workers whilst they are committing a crime, made into an official law.
Those tuning into the heartbreaking documentary found it hard to watch, as they praised Lissie for her strength.
One viewer wrote on Twitter : " #TheKillingofPCHarper possibly the hardest documentary I've ever watched. Sometimes there is justice and sometimes there is just us," as a second added: "What a watch #TheKillingOfPCHarper... credit to #LissieHarper would have been easy to bury herself in grief but fights hard for justice #PCHarper."
A third added: " #thekillingofpcharper horrific, heartbreaking and vile. The courage, dignity and bravery of his wife in contrast with the cowardice of monstrous low life thugs. Rest in peace, PC Harper. Thank you for your service and courage. You will never be forgotten."
"Hugely emotional watch, such a sad loss to TVP and Lissie Harper. Such a disappointing verdict. Humbled that Lissie has fought for Harper’s law for Andrew and every other brave officer who have lost their lives. RIP PC Harper #thekillingofpcharper," a fourth shared.
A fifth penned: "Can't watch #TheKillingofPCHarper without getting choked up and remembering we lost a real life hero, much love and thoughts to his wife and family," with a sixth sharing: "Everything about this is sad. I can’t imagine the pain of marrying someone and four weeks later cremating them. Nor can I imagine the terrible death he endured. Just horrific. #TheKillingOfPCHarper."
She said: "The documentary was something that I kind of went back and forth over whether or not to do it. But I felt that it was important to show people the process of the campaign, changing the law, and why I wanted to do it.
"I think that's what kind of gives you the drive to keep going, because I'm constantly hearing, 'keep going, keep going, you're doing the right thing, we need this'. That helps a lot."
Speaking about her own grief, she added: "A lot of people talk about moving on. But you can never move on from grief, it's always with you. It's something that you learn to cope with."
