Delaware officer shot in line of duty makes arrest

A Wilmington police officer and his partner arrested a teenager armed with a loaded gun after they observed him trying to hide it in his waistband.

Partners Cpl. Kevin Murphy and Officer Justin Wilkers were on patrol near W. 6th and N. Jefferson Streets at the time. When the officers tried to stop the 16-year-old, police say he ran, discarding a loaded .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine.

Murphy and Wilkers took the suspect into custody after a quick foot chase. For Wilkers, it was just another day on the job doing what he loves, yet a scene all too familiar for the patrolman. 

It was a year ago when Officer Wilkers was shot in the face after he and his partner attempted what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop on Feb. 3, 2013.

Last month, Frederick Gray, 21, was found guilty of attempted murder for firing at Wilkers, hitting him once in the lower left side of his face. 

A Facebook page established after the shooting has charted Wilkers’ progress since. The cover photo caption reads ‘Always the victor, never the victim.’ Posts on the page say Wilkers’ goal was to return to his job and be back on duty, “in his patrol car doing what he loves.” His first day back was in July.