Philadelphia police renaming valor medal for slain officer

Law enforcement officers salute the arrival of the remains of Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson III before a funeral procession on Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Philadelphia. City officials said on March 5, 2015 Wilson was shot and killed after he and his partner exchanged gunfire with two suspects trying to rob a video game store. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Law enforcement officers salute the arrival of the remains of Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson III before a funeral procession on Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Philadelphia. City officials said on March 5, 2015 Wilson was shot and killed after he and his partner exchanged gunfire with two suspects trying to rob a video game store. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

By Associated Press March 14, 2015 1 min read

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.