Funeral arrangements announced for slain Officer Robert Wilson III
NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Funeral arrangements have been announced for slain Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson III.
A viewing will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Francis Funeral Home, 5201 Whitby Avenue in Philadelphia.
Another viewing will be held Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Palestra on the University of Pennsylvania campus, 223 South 33rd Street in University City.
A funeral service will follow at the Palestra at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Word of the arrangements came the morning after a community vigil in Wilson's honor.
As many as 300-400 people gathered outside the North Philadelphia GameStop store at 21st and Lehigh Streets where Wilson was fatally shot last Thursday.
People spoke about the many things the officer did to make the city a better place.
"Every Thanksgiving, Officer Wilson was there to help get dinners out to the community," said Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Urban Affairs Coalition.
Also in attendance was Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who revealed that he had just left a birthday party for Officer Wilson's oldest son Quahmier - who turned 10.
"Obviously he's struggling, he's struggling real hard. His younger brother Robert IV is too young to really know what's going on, he's just a little over a year old, but the 10-year-old knows exactly what's going on and even mentioned that his father died trying to buy him a video game and so we're there for him," said Commissioner Ramsey.
On the day he was killed, Wilson was inside the GameStop store buying a gift for his son.
That's when police say 29-year-old Carlton HIpps and 24-year-old Ramone Williams came in and announced a robbery.
With guns drawn, the suspects engaged in a fierce gun battle with the officer who was shot in the head and later died.
At Monday's vigil, 22 blue and white balloons were released in honor of Wilson and his brothers and sisters in blue at the 22nd district where he worked.
"I'd also like to say thank you for your continued supports of the officers in the 22nd district. They need your support, especially at this time, as well as Officer Wilson's family," said John McNesby, Fraternal Order of Police president.
The gathering also sparked a profound discussion about violence in African-American neighborhoods.
"The biggest problem we have is our violence is against us. It's time we say it and admit it," said Sharif Street.
"So I wanna say we got a problem y'all and we got to come together and recognize it," said Mel Wells, One Day At A Time.
"And we're sick and tired of the violence and the death that's being caused by people who think that they can handle this world with a gun in their hand," said Rev. Larry Richardson, Deliverance Evangelistic Church.
"And I say this all the time - it takes a village to raise a child but what if the village is sick? Here we go again," said Rick Ford.
Minister Rodney Muhammad implored everyone to take a stand and let the killing of Officer Wilson be a catalyst for change.
"All lives matter and it doesn't make a difference if it's a citizen, if it's a law enforcement officer - their lives matter, especially when you got a good cop," he said.
Meanwhile, their are a number of ways to donate to Officer Wilson's family.
On Monday, GameStop announced that donations can be made at any of their store locations.
The Philadelphia Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 have established a GoFundMe page for contributions.
Click here to donate to the official GoFundMe page for the family of Officer Robert Wilson III.
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
