In a heartfelt response to the recent tragedy that left one Lorain police officer dead and two others injured, members of the Lorain community are coming together to show their support—and raise funds—through the sale of commemorative t-shirts.
A group of local businesses, choosing to remain anonymous, collaborated to fund the initial production of the shirts. The effort was spearheaded by Lorain Councilman At-Large Tony Dimacchia, who said the idea emerged during a conversation with a concerned resident about how to sustain community support for the police department beyond times of crisis.
“It’s unfortunate that it takes tragedies like this to rally support,” Dimacchia said. “We wanted to create something lasting—a reminder of what Officer Wagner did for this department, and a way to honor all three officers affected.”
The shirt design was officially approved by the Lorain Police Department and features the department’s badge across the front alongside the badge numbers of the three officers involved in the July ambush: Officer Phillip Wagner (#4178), Officer Brent Payne, and Officer Peter Gale. The back of the shirt reads “Back the Blue.”
Proceeds from the shirt sales will go directly to the Lorain Police Department and to support the officers and families most impacted by the shooting. Each member of the department will also receive a shirt at no cost.
Officer Wagner, who died from his injuries, is remembered as a devoted officer, husband, and father. Officers Payne and Gale, who were wounded during the ambush, continue to recover.
“This is something we want them to be proud of,” said Dimacchia. “We want to create a positive legacy from this tragedy—one that honors Officer Wagner and supports his brothers in blue.”
Community members interested in purchasing a shirt or contributing to the cause can find more information on the Friends of the Lorain Police Department Facebook page. Donations from businesses to help offset shirt production costs are also being accepted.
Resident Karen Rossi summed up the city’s sentiment: “I’m very proud of our city. We’re close-knit, and this just really hurts. God bless his family.”