LaGrange IGA Car Show raises $13,000 for Lorain police families

LAGRANGE TWP. — The LaGrange IGA Car Show on Saturday served its usual purpose as a beloved community event, but it also became a way for the community to support three Lorain police officers shot in an ambush on Wednesday. Lorain police Officer Phillip Wagner, 35, died on Thursday of injuries he sustained in the attack, while fellow Officers Peter Gale and Brent Payne were injured. LaGrange Township Fire Chief Mike Hornby said that the car show hosted by the LaGrange IGA usually raises money for his department, but after the shooting it was decided that this year the funds would support the affected families. "After the events of the past week, a couple of the members threw the idea out that instead of using the proceeds to buy equipment, maybe we could do more with it," Hornby said. Hornby said that the department raised $13,547.50 at the event which would be distributed between the three officers' families. After the names of the officers injured in the shooting were released, Hornby said members of the department realized they had close ties to one of the officers, Brent Payne. Hornby said that Payne's wife is an EMT for the department, and his brother Craig Payne regularly volunteered with the department. Craig Payne is also a Lorain police officer. "We wanted to help take care of our extended family," Hornby said. "... I wish the guys a speedy recovery and the family of Officer Wagner, I wish them peace." The event on Saturday was the 15th annual IGA Car Show, and it featured dozens of both vintage and modern cars and trucks. Hornby said that while the yearly event was always a good place to catch up with old friends who come back every year, there were always new people and new cars to see as well. One such new car was a bright red Chevrolet drag racing car which was brought by owner Jay Thomascik and driver Jason Drew. The loud revving of the engine was a common occurrence on Saturday, as kids and adults alike begged to hear it roar. Thomascik said that it was the first time he had ever taken the car to a show, but the fun and community of the LaGrange IGA Car Show had him considering doing it again. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.