$10,000 Reward Offered for Suspects in Salvation Army Major Shooting

North Little Rock, Arkansas police have increased the reward money to $10,000 for information leading to the arrests of the suspects who shot and killed a Salvation Army Major in front of his children on Christmas Eve.

Philip Wise, 40, was gunned down in front of the organization’s community center in North Little Rock as his three young children looked on.

Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper said two men accosted Philip Wise and his children — ages, 4, 6 and 8 — as they approached the entrance to the facility at about 4 p.m. Thursday. He says one man pulled a gun, demanded money and then shot Wise.

Wise's wife, Cindy, also a major in the Salvation Army, was inside the center and called 911.

Police describe the suspects as two African-American males who are believed to be 'armed with handguns.'

Philip Wise had worked for the Salvation Army for 16 years and had been at the Little Rock location for 3 years.

His wife, Salvation Army Maj. Cindy Wise, vowed to continue his work ministering to people in the neighborhood.

Cindy Wise said during Sunday's service that she has peace because she knows the work in the North Little Rock neighborhood is not done yet. She says she plans to continue and that "together we will still provide salvation and grace to this neighborhood."

"He was so important to that community," North Little Rock Police Department spokesman Sgt. Terry Kuykendall told FoxNews.com.

"This has been a tremendous blow to (them)."

One co-worker described Wise as a "big, old teddy bear" who had a passion for music, Kuykendall told FoxNews.com. Wise was well-known in the community for his work with disadvantaged children.

As police follow up on leads, they are asking the public to help assist them by contacting police at (501) 758-1234 with any information they may have.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.