Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Robert Wilson was shot and killed when he and his partner interrupted a robbery at a video game store at 2101 West Lehigh Avenue at approximately 4:45 pm.
The officers were conducting a security check of the businesses in the strip mall and had parked in front of the store. Officer Wilson went into the store to conduct the security check and to buy a video game for one of his sons as a birthday gift. While he was inside two brothers entered the store and announced a robbery, not noticing Officer Wilson's presence or the patrol car parked out front.
Officer Wilson immediately announced himself. He exchanged shots with the two brothers as he drew fire away from the customers and employees. He was struck three times during the shootout in which more than 50 shots were fired. The two men then exited the store where they engaged in a shootout with Officer Wilson's partner, who had remained in the patrol car. One of the subjects was wounded during the second shootout.
Both men were arrested and charged with Officer Wilson's murder. One of the brothers was on parole for robbery at the time and both had extensive criminal histories. Both men were sentenced to life in prison in June 2018.
Officer Wilson had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for eight years. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-5DEB6B75- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Wilson gave the Philadelphia Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Robert Francis Wilson III is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Francis Wilson III's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Francis Wilson III Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Francis Wilson III is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Francis Wilson III was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
