Emergency service workers in Dorset came together to pay their respects to an officer who died on duty.

Police officers and firefighters held a one-minute silence in memory of PC Andrew Harper.

PC Harper, who was an officer for Thames Valley Police, died on Thursday, August 15 while responding to reports of a burglary near Sulhamstead in Berkshire.

He married his partner Lissie just four weeks earlier and the couple had been planning to go on their honeymoon.

This morning, officers from Weymouth and Portland Police and crew members from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service held a one-minute silence on Portland.

A police spokesman said: “At 11am this morning we observed a one-minute silence at Weymouth Police Station to remember PC Andrew Harper who tragically died whilst responding to reports of a burglary near Sulhamstead in Berkshire last week.

“On Portland we were joined by crew members from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“Out thoughts remain with PC Harper’s family, friends and colleagues in Thames Valley.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman said: “At 11:00am today two of Portland stations watch managers along with our local police force paid their respects to PC Andrew Harper, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty with a minutes silence on parade.

“The rest of the station were unable to attend unfortunately but the whole crew at Portland station send their thoughts and prayers to PC Harper and his family.

“Rest in peace our blue light brother.”

Deputy Chief Constable of Dorset Police, David Lewis, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Thames Valley Police colleagues and PC Andrew Harper’s family and friends.”

Meanwhile, the devastated mother of PC Harper said the family’s “lives and hearts have been torn apart”.

After thanking police officers, paramedics and the general public, his mother Debbie said: “Going on to my dearest and desperately missed Andrew, our lives and hearts have been torn apart, to be taken from us all and his childhood sweetheart Lissie and her lovely family who have been his closest family of late.

“A big part of me has gone with you, I cannot imagine our lives going forward but we will do so with Andrew in our hearts.”

As a boy, she said Pc Harper was “always the most balanced, calm, caring, loving, but hilariously funny character”, adding: “Everything he did was with a smile.”

His mother and other family members attended the service at the Sulhamstead training centre, where his father placed a sunflower among floral tributes and balloons that had been moved from the scene.