Lorain police officer killed in ambush honored

LORAIN — Lorain police saw its first line-of-duty death in more than 100 years on Thursday. Phillip Wagner, 35, of North Ridgeville was shot and gravely injured during an ambush by lone gunman Michael Parker, 28, of Lorain, on Wednesday while eating lunch with fellow officer Peter Gale at the Colorado Avenue Industrial Park. Wagner died from his injuries Thursday, the department announced in a news release. Gale and responding Officer Brent Payne were injured in the shooting, too. "Known for his dedication, professionalism and compassion, officer Wagner exemplified the very best of what it means to serve and protect," Lorain Police Capt. Jacob Morris wrote in the news release. "Just two days before this tragic incident, he achieve a significant milestone – earning his SWAT pin after a year of dedicated training and hard work." Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing said Wagner's life and service to the city will never be forgotten. "On behalf of the Wagner family, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out in support," Failing said in the release. "Our department mourns the loss of a true hero and stands in unwavering support of Officer Wagner's family, friends and fellow officers during this heartbreaking time." Wagner was an Arizona native who served two tours with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan in the late 2000s. He moved to Ohio to be near family and attend the Lorain County Community College Police Academy. He started his law enforcement career with Sheffield police as a part-time officer in 2018, and became a full-time officer there two years later. He joined Lorain police in 2022. Sheffield police called Wagner a proud member of the department's family in a Facebook post after his death. "Phil was more than a colleague — he was a friend, a brother in blue, and a deeply respected member of our community," it wrote. "His commitment to service, both here in Sheffield Village and in Lorain, reflected the very best of what it means to wear the badge." Wagner leaves behind his wife, Jessica, and three young children. Public photos from Jessica Wagner's Facebook and a GoFundMe organized by her sister, Kasie, include photos of Wagner at church and posing with his wife and children. As of Thursday evening, the fundraiser was well on its way to reaching its $60,000 goal. 'A champion and public servant' On Thursday evening, dozens of police cars filled West Erie Avenue and at least 400 officers, community members and other supporters gathered outside Lorain City Hall for a candlelight vigil. At the center of the crowd was a Lorain police cruiser draped in flowers and surrounded by candles. Storms rolled in just as the event started, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing over the lakefront while Acting Chief Michael Failing addressed the somber crowd. "Today's a very hard day," Failing said. "I sat with Jess Wagner as she had to make the decision to pull the plug on her husband. A very hard decision. She wants to thank everyone for being here." He said the worst thing a cop can hear is "officer down, officer shot, we've got an active shooter." Lorain police heard all three on Wednesday and the men and women of Lorain police drove into that scene to get their colleagues out, he said. "If that's not courage, I don't know what is," Failing said. He gave an update on Payne and Gale. Payne was in surgery for several hours at Cleveland's MetroHealth Medical Center after being shot several times in Wednesday's ambush. Those injuries did not stop him from paying Wagner his respects. "For those of you that don't know, when an officer dies, officers from around the county come in and they line the walls of the hospital as the flag-draped gurney comes out," Failing said. "Officer Payne, after having several hours of surgery, insisted he come down there, propped up in a chair, to be there to watch Officer Wagner go by." Gale has a "long road ahead of him" as well, Failing said, including possibly five or six surgeries on his hand. Lt. Kyle Gelenius thanked the hospital staff at Mercy Health and MetroHealth for their support. As one of the first officers on scene Wednesday, Gelenius helped transport Gale in the back of a cruiser to Mercy Health for emergency treatment. "We rolled up, the emergency room staff was ready for us and they faced the most difficult of circumstances without skipping a beat," Gelenius said. Other Lorain officers transported Payne and Wagner in their cruisers from the shooting to Mercy Health, from which they were flown to MetroHealth. Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley echoed Failing's pride in Lorain police and other officers in the county who came to the city's aid Wednesday and Thursday. The city lost a champion and public servant, Bradley said. Fundraisers Gelenius, on behalf of the Lorain Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3, thanked the community for the outpouring of support – and food – in the mere hours since the shooting. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Lorain Police Officers' Charitable Foundation, care of the Lorain Police Department, 100 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052. Online donations may be made via the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police. A Meal Train was organized for Payne and his family. As of Thursday evening it was well over halfway to its $25,000 goal. From 1-5 p.m. Saturday there will be a spaghetti Dinner at the London Aire Tavern, 2903 Brookpark Road, in Payne's support. Donations may also be made to his daughter's CashApp $Payne97. Rockin' on the River also will be donating a portion of the proceeds from both shows this weekend to the Lorain Police Officers Charitable Foundation, organizers said, and members of the local FOP will be on hand to collect donations as well. The LaGrange IGA and LaGrange Firefighters Association will donate proceeds from the 15th annual Fireman's Car Show 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the LaGrange IGA, 540 N. Center. St., to the three officers. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff in Wagner's honor from now until sunset on the day of his funeral. He offered his condolences to Wagner's loved ones and shared Lorain's grief at the loss of a hero, he said in a statement. Information on Wagner's funeral arrangements and other public remembrances are expected in the coming days. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.