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Incident
Police Officer Phillip Wagner was ambushed at River Bend Drive near the 2200 block of Colorado Avenue in Lorain on July 23, 2025.
At 1:00 p.m., Officer Wagner and another officer were in their patrol vehicle eating lunch when a man opened fire on their patrol car. When they called for help, another officer was also ambushed.
Two officers were Life Flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, and one officer was treated for a gunshot wound to his hand at Mercy Health- Lorain Hospital. Officer Wagner succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds the next day.
The shooter was killed in an exchange of gunfire with responding officers.
Officer Wagner was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Lorain Police Department for three years and the Sheffield Village Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Phillip. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Phillip is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Wagner gave the Lorain Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lorain community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Phillip C. Wagner served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lorain Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Phillip is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Phillip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Phillip is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2025, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 2025, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2025, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Phillip was 35. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Phillip was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Phillip was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Lorain Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Lorain Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Phillip among them.
Where
Military Service
Phillip C. Wagner served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Phillip C. Wagner’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lorain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
