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City marks end of 30 days of mourning for Sgt. Robert Wilson III

Mayor Nutter and other city dignitaries embrace slain officer’s family.

Mayor Nutter presents a flag to Shakira Wilson-Burroughs, sister of slain Sgt. Robert Wilson III, yesterday at a City Hall ceremony to mark the end of the city's 30 days of mourning. ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mayor Nutter presents a flag to Shakira Wilson-Burroughs, sister of slain Sgt. Robert Wilson III, yesterday at a City Hall ceremony to mark the end of the city's 30 days of mourning. ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERRead more

MAYOR NUTTER and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey yesterday marked the end of the 30-day period of mourning for slain Police Sgt. Robert Wilson III with a somber City Hall ceremony.

Joining the city's top brass were two busloads of Wilson's family members, including his grandmother, brother and sister.

Wilson, 30, was cut down during a March 5 gunbattle with two brothers who attempted to rob the North Philadelphia GameStop where the officer had stopped to buy a gift for his son, Quahmier, 10.

Carlton Hipps, 29, and Ramone Williams, 24, were arrested and charged with shooting Wilson multiple times. They are to be tried for first-degree murder and are being held without bail.

Along with recounting Wilson's eight years of service with the department and his heroic death, officials gave his family a poem and the city flag that flew at half-staff during the period of mourning.

"Everything that's been said [about Wilson] is true. We miss him and we thank the city and the Police Department for their support. Thank you," Wilson's sister, Shakira Wilson-Burroughs, 32, said after the ceremony.

"I really appreciate everything they've done," the officer's brother, Dereon Wilson, 19, added, holding the glass-encased flag and the framed poem.

"I feel like I've definitely gained more of a family. I really like that. They made sure that they let us know that they won't forget my brother."

"He will always be in my heart and mind," said Constance Wilson, the officer's grandmother, "and I am looking forward to the resurrection, when he'll be resurrected right back here on Earth. That's what helps me get through each day."

Wilson, who was posthumously promoted to sergeant and awarded the department's Medal of Honor and Medal of Valor, was assigned to the 22nd District in North Philadelphia, where he earned two citations during his career.

Last month, Ramsey renamed the Medal of Valor the Sgt. Robert F. Wilson Award of Valor.

In addition to his grandparents, siblings and son Quahmier, Wilson is survived by a 1-year-old son, Robert Wilson IV.