Marco's Pizza donating 20% of Thursday sales to Lorain police charity

Eleven Marco's Pizza locations in Lorain County are taking part in a fundraiser today, with 20 percent of sales benefiting the Lorain Police Officers Charitable Foundation. The fundraiser is in honor of slain Lorain police Officer Phillip Wagner. The 35-year-old North Ridgeville resident, a married father of three children, was shot and mortally wounded July 23 in an ambush as he and fellow Officer Peter Gale, 51, ate lunch in an area off Colorado Avenue. Gale was shot and wounded but survived. Officer Brent Payne, 47, was seriously wounded by gunfire as he responded to a call for help from his fellow officers, and is recovering following surgery. Marco's Pizza locations taking part in the fundraiser include: 105 N. Leavitt Road, Amherst 32730 Walker Road, Avon Lake 649 S. Abbe Road, Elyria 8653 W. Ridge Road, Elyria/Elyria Township 537 Main St., Grafton 2130 N. Leavitt Road, Lorain 2311 Colorado Ave., Lorain 1957 N. Ridge Road, Lorain/Sheffield Township 32521 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville 5332 Detroit Road, Sheffield; and 4425 Liberty Ave., Vermilion. Online orders at Marcos.com should use the code "LPD" in the fundraiser box to activate the 20 percent donation. "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a brave officer from our community who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," David Wiles, a Marco's Pizza business leader in the Cleveland area, said in a news release. "At Marco's Pizza, we are proud to support the men and women who wear the badge and dedicate their lives to protecting and serving. To the family, friends, and fellow officers of the fallen hero — our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your courage will never be forgotten." Memorial donations also may be made directly to the Lorain Police Officers' Charitable Foundation in care of the Lorain Police Department, 100 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052. The GoFundMe campaign organized by Officer Wagner's sister-in-law, Kasie Tillman, had raised more than $157,000 as of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The gunman, 28-year-old Michael J. Parker of Lorain, was shot and killed by responding officers. The Elyria Police Department is investigating with assistance from the Lorain County Sheriff's Office and federal agents.