Philly police renaming valor medal for slain officer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Police Department is renaming its valor medal in honor of a police officer killed while trying to stop a robbery.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey called the actions of Officer Robert Wilson III the greatest act of bravery he’s seen in 46 years.
Authorities say Wilson was shot and killed March 5 when two brothers armed with semi-automatic weapons opened fire inside the store where he had stopped to buy a gift for his son and conduct a safety check.
Ramsey said at Wilson’s funeral Saturday the slain officer will also receive the department’s medal of honor and a posthumous promotion to sergeant.
Wilson is the city’s 10th police officer killed in the line of duty in the last 9 years.