More than 300 mourners gathered Tuesday afternoon at First Assembly of God church in North Little Rock to pay their respects to Philip Wise, the Salvation Army major who was fatally shot Christmas Eve during a robbery attempt.
Friends, family, coworkers and others filed past Wise's casket, most stopping to hug or speak briefly with Wise's widow, during a public viewing before a memorial service celebrating Wise's life.
Speakers talked of Wise's dedication to his faith, his service in the Salvation Army, his wife and three children and his beloved Dallas Cowboys.
Wise's widow, Cindy Wise, sang on stage during a rendition of "God of this City" near the end of the service. She then urged those in attendance to focus on continuing her husband's work, which included ministering to residents in the neighborhood where he was slain.
"He wouldn't want us to be boo-hooing all the time," she said. "He would just want us to honestly and truly grab hold of god's word and just spend time with him."
- Gifts can be made directly to the family of Major Wise by sending checks payable to The Wise Family Memorial Fund to Centennial Bank at 13910 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72223
- A reward of $10,000 is currently being offered by Pulaski County Crime Stoppers. Donations for the reward fund can be sent to the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Send checks payable to the Major Philip Wise Reward Fund to PO Box 5288, North Little Rock, AR 72119
- Donations can be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce of North Little Rock office at 100 Main St. in North Little Rock.
- Anyone with information on the shooting may call Crimestoppers at (501) 758-1234
- The Salvation Army is dedicating all gifts in Wise's name to the summer camp youth music program. Donate online here
Philip Wise, who served in the Salvation Army along with his wife for 15 years, was shot and killed at the Salvation Army Corps and Community Center in North Little Rock on Christmas Eve.
"It was not the first senseless murder in this neighborhood or this city," Bob Cornett, a Salvation Army captain who called Wise a best friend, said during the service. "But dear friends, the murder of Phil Wise - a father, a son, a friend, a husband, a pastor and a warrior for Christ - that murder can be the last murder."
Police say two black men dressed in black clothing approached Philip Wise and his three children in the building’s parking lot. They demanded money, then one of the men shot the 40-year-old Wise. He died a short time later at the scene.
SALVATION ARMY SLAYING
Cindy Wise, who was alone inside the center at 1505 W. 18th Street when her husband was shot, called the police. Officers found him lying in the building’s back doorway.
Authorities announced Monday that the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible had grown to $10,000. Police Sgt. Terry Kuykendall said Tuesday morning that officials had received a few tips since the reward information was released but that there were no developments to announce.
"We're following up on every lead," he said.
Anyone with information on the crime can call authorities at (501) 758-1234. Callers can remain anonymous.
The funeral service for Wise will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Spruce Street Presbyterian Church in Morgantown, W. Va.