The widow of PC Andrew Harper has called on the public to support a petition aimed at keeping her husband’s killers in prison. Lissie Harper spoke out as a campaign gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures to prevent the early release of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were convicted of manslaughter in connection with the officer's death.

PC Andrew Harper, 28, died in August 2019 in Berkshire after being dragged for several hundred yards by a car while attempting to stop a group of teenagers stealing a quad bike. Bowers and Cole, who were passengers in the vehicle, were each sentenced to 13 years in prison for their roles, while a third individual was convicted separately.

The two convicted men are currently eligible to apply for early release after serving approximately six and a half years, a possibility prompting significant public concern. The petition, supported by the Thames Valley Police Federation, had garnered around 350,000 to over 400,000 signatures as of early August 2026.

Lissie Harper emphasized the danger of releasing Bowers and Cole back into the community, stating, “We cannot put people like this back on our streets,” and reaffirmed her commitment to the campaign with the words, “We will never give up.”

The push to keep the men behind bars comes amid broader efforts to manage prison populations, which include policies allowing some prisoners to seek early release before completing their full sentences. Advocates for the petition argue that the severity of the crime and its impact on the family and policing community warrant the full term being served.

Authorities have not publicly indicated whether the early release applications will be granted, and the case continues to draw attention from both local communities and law enforcement groups. The campaign underscores ongoing debates about justice, sentencing, and public safety in cases involving the deaths of police officers.