The widow of a Nottinghamshire Police Officer who was killed 17 years ago says she feels let down by the justice system.
Dog handler PC Ged Walker was dragged 100 yards and fatally injured by a stolen taxi in 2003 as he attempted to remove the keys from the ignition.
Tracy Walker felt let down when her husband's killer David Parfitt was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in prison - 12 for manslaughter and one for driving offences - but we was released after nine years.
She is now supporting PC Andrew Harper's widow Lissie's campaign for life sentences for anyone found guilty of killing a police officer, called Harper's Law.
“Lissie's battle to achieve Harper's Law really resonates with my own story,” says Tracy.
"Ged was attempting an arrest and was dragged 100 metres by the taxi the offender had stolen.
"And sadly, like Lissie, we did not get the verdict of murder, and a manslaughter verdict was given.
"Like Lissie, I felt let down by the system that deemed this barbaric act as unintentional and not deliberate.
“I fully support the Harper's Law campaign.”
David Parfitt was released from jail back in 2012 but has appeared in court again during that time, including in June this year for breaching a non-molestation order.
PC Walker left behind his wife Tracy and their two children.
Tracy continued:"This man is allowed to live near me. If a life sentence had been given, he would have been on licence for life and recall could have happened.
"Instead he receives supervision orders and drug and rehabilitation orders.
"What Lissie is trying to do is so important – time hasn't diminished my pain and anger.
"In fact, it's made me more determined to bang the drum about it so that people can understand the situation and what often happens when police officers get killed in this way."
PC Harper a Thames Valley Police Officer, was killed while trying to stop thieves stealing a quad bike.
Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were convicted of manslaughter last month but cleared of murder.
Long was jailed for 16 years and Bowers and Cole for 13 years.
Lissie Harper said: “To have the support of such a brave lady as Tracy, Ruth Browning – the widow of PC Gareth Browning – and so many other police widows and widowers is so humbling and important.
“They join police officers from across the country, the public, the media and now politicians from all parties in giving us their support. The momentum continues to build and together we will achieve Harper’s Law.
“It’s going to be a long road but we must continue and battle for this. We must provide an appropriate punishment and a suitable deterrent to those who would kill our emergency services heroes.
“It means so much to so many.”
A petition has been set up calling for Harper’s Law which has attracted more than 650,000 signatures.
