‘Officer Wagner’s life and service to our city will never be forgotten,’ said Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing.

LORAIN, Ohio — Phillip Wagner, one of three Lorain police officers shot in Wednesday’s ambush, died on Thursday, according to a release from the Lorain Police Department. 

The 35-year-old officer, who joined the Lorain Police Department in February 2022, had been hospitalized at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland after sustaining serious injuries during the shooting. Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing issued the following statement:

“Officer Wagner’s life and service to our city will never be forgotten. On behalf of the Wagner family, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out in support. 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. We ask the community to keep his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers as we come together to honor his memory, service, and ultimate sacrifice.”

According to records from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Wagner previously worked at the Sheffield Village Police Department from June 2018 to February 2022. Before joining the Sheffield Village Police Department, he attended Lorain County Community College and served in the United States Marine Corps. 

“Known for his dedication, professionalism, and compassion, Officer Wagner exemplified the very best of what it means to serve and protect,” Lorain police added in their release. “Officer Wagner proudly served seven years in law enforcement.”

Two days before he was shot, Wagner had earned his SWAT pin from the Lorain Police Department. 

Lorain police say information about funeral arrangements and public remembrance opportunities will be shared in the coming days. 


ESCORT

On Thursday evening, the body of Officer Wagner was escorted by police departments from several Northeast Ohio communities from MetroHealth Medical Center to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

Members of the Lorain Police Department carried Officer Wagner’s casket, covered by an American flag, into the Medical Examiner’s Office. 


DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOOTING

The shooting happened on Wednesday, just after 1 p.m. on River Bend Drive, when officers were ambushed by a lone gunman, who was later pronounced dead.

According to Failing, Officers Wagner and Peter Gale were having lunch in their patrol vehicles when the suspect, positioned nearby with “an arsenal of weapons,” opened fire.

The two officers most seriously injured — Wagner and Brent Payne — were Life Flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. The third officer, Gale, was wounded in the hand and treated at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital.

“This was a deliberate and planned ambush,” said Elyria Police Chief James Welsh, whose department is leading the ongoing investigation. “The suspect used a high-powered rifle against our officers.”

On Thursday morning, the Lorain County Coroner’s Office identified the suspect as Michael Parker. Investigators say Parker’s vehicle was found near the dead end of River Bend Drive with several high-powered rifles, handguns, and numerous loaded magazines both inside and nearby. 

According to the Elyria Police Department, officers returned fire during the exchange, which ultimately resulted in Parker sustaining a fatal injury. Investigators noted that Parker fired a “significant number of rounds during the course of the encounter.”

Officials in Lorain confirmed to 3News that police executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home on Lakeview Boulevard after the shooting. No explosive threats were found and Elyria police collected evidence. 

According to City of Lorain records, Parker was cited by Officer Wagner in November 2022 for failure to stop after an accident and for driving left of center. In May 2023, a judge found Parker guilty of the left-of-center violation, while the failure-to-stop charge was dismissed. Parker had pleaded no contest to both charges.


REACTION 


Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost

“I am devastated by this senseless attack on law enforcement – my deepest condolences are with Officer Wagner’s loved ones. I share this community’s grief at the loss of a hero and join in their prayers for the injured officers to make a swift recovery.”


U.S. Sen. Jon Husted

“I’m deeply saddened to hear that Officer Phillip Wagner, who was ambushed yesterday in northeast Ohio, has passed away. Tina and I continue to pray for Officer Wagner’s family, as well as for the other victims, Officers Brent Payne and Peter Gale.

“Violence against the heroes who protect our communities must end. This tragic attack in Lorain emphasizes the urgent need for Congress to pass the Protect and Serve Act, which would increase penalties for those who senselessly murder our law enforcement officers. I am a co-sponsor of the bill and will continue to work to see it become law.”


Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne

“Cuyahoga County is profoundly heartbroken to learn of the death of Lorain Police Officer Phillip Wagner. The men and women of law enforcement face great dangers every day in the name of keeping our residents and communities safe, and this cowardly and unprovoked attack has no place in our society. We are keeping the Lorain Police Department, the injured officers, and the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy in our hearts.”


Lorain City Schools

“Lorain City Schools stands with the Lorain Police Department and the entire Lorain community during this difficult time.

“We are grateful for the strong partnership we’ve built with our officers—past and present—and remain committed to supporting them in the days ahead.”


Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel

“The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department stands in solidarity with the Lorain Police Department, and we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Phillip Wagner, the result of a criminal act. This senseless and cowardly act of violence underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement every day. We will keep the officers injured in this incident, the men and women of the Lorain Police Department, and the families and loved ones deeply impacted by this matter close to our hearts as they navigate this difficult time. We will support the Lorain Police Department in any way we can.”


HOW YOU CAN HELP THE WAGNER FAMILY

Officer Wagner’s sister-in-law, Kasie Tillman, has created a GoFundMe to “organize some donations that people are so generously pouring out to my sister.”

“I don’t have many words right now, but any donations are appreciated and please keep them in your prayers,” Tillman said in the GoFundMe post.


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