Church near fatal scene remembers slain Philly officer
NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- On Sunday morning worshipers united to help the family of slain Officer Robert Wilson III.
During the 10:00 a.m. mass at Saint Martin De Porres Church on the 2300 block of West Lehigh Avenue, the priest and parish embraced Philadelphia police who lined the back pew.
Father Stephen Thorne dedicated the mass to Wilson and made his brothers and sisters in blue the guests of honor.
"Those who asked why we're doing this today, my response is simply - why not," he said during the service.
They took up the back of the church and after communion parishioners shared condolences and said thank you.
Those in attendance included Philadelphia-based actor David Morse, who portrayed a former police officer in the TV show 'Hack.'
Mel Wells, a friend of Wilson's, says the busy officer made time to volunteers with his organization one day at a time.
"We talked so much about black men being negative in the community but he was definitely an officer who stood positive. When they took his life, they took ten other fathers' lives at the same time," said Wells.
Police say Officer Wilson was killed Thursday after he was shot during an attempted robbery.
The crime happened at the GameStop at 21st and Lehigh.
Wilson was in uniform inside buying a birthday present for one of his two sons.
Police say the armed men opened fire and Wilson exchanged shots, but was fatally wounded.
One of the collections taken at the service was for Wilson's sons, ages 1 and 8. His oldest son turns 9 on Monday.
Officer Wilson was not a member of this parish but the priest says the officers of the 22nd and 39th district protect this community so in his mind they are automatically members of the congregation.
"We're down the street from what happened, its only right we would remember our community, neighborhood, a person who passed so many times to protect our streets. We lift up his soul today, his family - sons especially. We stand against violence," said Father Thorne.
Wilson's fellow brother and sisters in blue have also established a trust fund for his family.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so in person at the following
PFFCU branches:
901 Arch Street
7604 City Avenue
8500 Henry Avenue
Leo Mall, Byberry and Bustleton Avenue
7500 Castor Avenue
3300 Grant Avenue
Or by mailing a check payable to:
The Robert Wilson III Family Memorial Trust Fund
Police and Fire Federal Credit Union
901 Arch Street
Philadelphia PA, 19107
