Phillip Wagner

Police Officer Phillip Wagner, of the Lorain Police Department in Ohio, was ambushed along with two other officers on July 23, 2025. Wagner and Officer Peter Gale had just picked up pizza for lunch and were parked side-by-side in their patrol cars when a man opened fire on them. When they called for help, another officer, Brent Payne, was ambushed as he pulled up in his patrol car. The shooter was killed by responding officers. Officer Wagner succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds the next day, on July 24, 2025. The other two officers survived the attack. Wagner, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, was 35 years old and had been a police officer for seven years. 

Wagner was born in Flagstaff, Arizona, and was a resident of North Ridgeville, Ohio. He was a USMC combat veteran and served two tours, including one in Afghanistan. After graduating from the Police Academy in 2018, he began his law enforcement career with the Sheffield Village PD. After four years, he joined the Lorain PD, where he served for three years. He was a dedicated and compassionate officer who loved his country and his community. He was a true hero. Wagner was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor by the Lorain PD at his funeral. 

Wagner and his wife, Jessica, were married for ten years and had three beautiful children: Hadley, Olivia and Barrett. His favorite place to be was home with his family. He was a man of strong faith. He was an avid gamer who enjoyed watching baseball and hockey, and barbeques with family and friends. 

Police Officer Phillip Wagner is survived by his loving wife, Jessica, their three children, Hadley, Olivia and Barrett, his mother and his siblings, and many other cherished family members and friends. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Wagner family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.