Posted March 10, 2015

St. Martin de Porres Parish, located in North Philadelphia only two blocks from where Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson III was fatally shot on duty March 5, remembered his life and service during a Mass celebrated Sunday, March 8.

The Mass was celebrated by the parish’s pastor, Father Stephen D. Thorne.

A special collection was taken up during the Mass to benefit Officer Wilson’s two children.

The parish’s remembrance was not an official memorial service but, according to the Philadelphia Archdiocese, “a prayerful expression of sympathy for those mourn Officer Wilson’s loss and gratitude for the service of law enforcement officers in the community.”