Lissie, devastated by tragic loss, opens up about moving forward in heartfelt podcast

In a poignant turn of events, Lissie, the widow of PC Andrew Harper, has discovered love anew, four years after the devastating loss of her husband. PC Harper tragically lost his life in the line of duty just four weeks after their wedding.

Lissie, now 32, found solace in the arms of another emergency worker, marking a significant chapter in her journey of healing. PC Harper, who was only 28 at the time of his death, was dragged behind a getaway van at 60mph while responding to a burglary, leaving a heart-wrenching void in Lissie’s life.

The 2019 incident, which took place on the country roads of Sulhamstead, Berkshire, led to catastrophic injuries for PC Harper. Three teens involved were sentenced to a total of 42 years in jail, highlighting the severity of the crime that claimed the life of the first police officer to die on duty since 2017.

Lissie, determined to find happiness again, spoke candidly on The Stigma of Grief podcast about the pressure she felt to be perpetually in mourning. She expressed the unrealistic expectation placed on grieving widows to don black attire indefinitely, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable and fair approach to grief.

“There’s this expectation to be this figure, the grieving widow… like we’re expected to wear black for the rest of our lives and sit and mourn. It’s not sustainable… and it’s not fair,” she shared.

Lissie, who played a pivotal role in campaigning for Harper’s Law, successfully changed legislation to ensure that those who unlawfully kill emergency workers face life imprisonment. Harper’s Law, a testament to Lissie’s resilience, covers police, fire, or emergency medical workers.

Reflecting on her journey, Lissie acknowledged the transformative impact of grief, stating, “You become a different person when you go through something like this. You kind of grow out of the person you were before because you have no choice.”

Finding love again wasn’t without its challenges for Lissie, who met her new partner, also a 999 worker, after a first date that felt “strange” yet necessary. The shared experiences in the emergency services made it easier for Lissie to connect with her new partner, bridging the gap between past and present.

In a society grappling with grief and moving forward, Lissie’s story stands as a testament to resilience, strength, and the possibility of love after loss.