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Incident
Trooper Wagner was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer during a defensive tactics training exercise at the State Patrol headquarters in North Platte, Nebraska.
Trooper Wagner and other officers were conducting the training in a classroom when the .45 caliber Glock handgun discharged and struck him in the chest. The handgun was reloaded during a break in training because the officer was not aware it would be used later in the day.
Trooper Wagner was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:00 pm.
He had been with the Nebraska State Patrol for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqwc4khw3btrgd251282- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Wagner gave the Nebraska State Patrol 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Nebraska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Wagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nebraska State Patrol has lost 15 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Mark is one of 36 officers lost to accidents in NE, 23.8% of the 151 remembered there.
Mark is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1999, 1 officer at Nebraska State Patrol was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1999, 1 officer in NE was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1999, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1999, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 61st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Mark was 37. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Nebraska State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 44.5; the middle age was 40. Mark had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Mark was 37. Of the 33 lost to accidents in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 53; the middle age was 40. Mark had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Mark was 37. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Mark had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Mark had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 14.3% of these deaths at Nebraska State Patrol; June holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 28.6%.
March holds 13.9% of these deaths in NE; January holds the most, 13.9%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 46.7% of all 15 deaths at Nebraska State Patrol, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.8% of all 151 deaths in NE, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Nebraska State Patrol has 15 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
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Loyal M. Zink
Jun 13, 1945
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John T. Meistrell
Apr 10, 1953
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Vernon C. Rolfs
May 30, 1953
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Marvin L. Hansen
Apr 8, 1954
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Duane F. Nichols
Jul 24, 1958
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Raymond M. Koerber
Sep 18, 1961
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George William Amos, Jr.
Apr 20, 1973
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Michael D. Farber
Aug 24, 1980
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Robert J. Chab
Jan 6, 1984
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Donald Matejka
Dec 27, 1989
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Mark Paul Wagner
Mar 4, 1999
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Mark Zach
Sep 27, 2002
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Jerry Chab
Aug 6, 2013
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Jerry Louis Smith, Jr.
Jun 20, 2019
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Kyle McAcy
Feb 17, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Nebraska State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
