The Lorain Police Department and the surrounding community are mourning the death of Officer Phillip C. Wagner, 35, who died Thursday after being critically wounded in an ambush that targeted three officers. Wagner, a Marine Corps veteran and two-year member of the department, succumbed to his injuries at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, surrounded by loved ones.
“Officer Wagner’s life and service to our city will never be forgotten,” Acting Police Chief Michael Failing said in a statement. “He was a true hero whose dedication, professionalism, and compassion defined his service. We ask the community to keep his loved ones, friends, and fellow officers in their thoughts as we honor his memory and ultimate sacrifice.”
Deadly Ambush on Colorado Avenue
The attack unfolded shortly after 1 p.m. on July 23 at the dead end of an industrial parkway off Colorado Avenue. According to investigators, 28-year-old Michael Parker of Lorain was “laying in wait” with multiple high-powered weapons. Parker opened fire on Officers Wagner and Peter Gale, 51, as they sat in their patrol cars during a lunch break. Officer Brent Payne, 47, responding to assist, was also struck.
Wagner and Payne suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were airlifted to MetroHealth, a Level I trauma center. Gale, who was shot in the hand, was treated at a Lorain hospital. Police said fellow officers performed emergency care in the field, loading Wagner and Payne into cruisers to rush them for treatment.
Parker was killed during the exchange of gunfire. An autopsy by the Lorain County Coroner confirmed his death was caused by multiple gunshot wounds and ruled a homicide, with no evidence of self-inflicted injuries. Toxicology results are pending.
Authorities discovered a cache of weapons and ammunition in Parker’s vehicle, along with a significant quantity of improvised explosive materials. Additional suspicious items were seized from his home on North Lakeview Boulevard, though no other active explosives were found.
“This incident has deeply impacted all of us in law enforcement,” Elyria Police Chief James Welsh, whose department is leading the investigation, said. “The coordinated efforts of tactical teams, bomb technicians, patrol officers, and investigators were critical in securing the scene and ensuring public safety.”
Honoring a Fallen Officer
Wagner, who joined Lorain Police in February 2022 after serving with Sheffield Village Police, had recently completed a year of training to earn his SWAT pin — just two days before the ambush. Colleagues described him as a respected and beloved figure, dedicated both to his city and his fellow officers.
More than 100 people gathered Thursday evening for a prayer vigil outside the Lorain Police Department, holding flags and flowers as they honored the fallen officer and prayed for his injured colleagues.
Chief Failing provided an update during the vigil, noting that Gale faces a lengthy recovery for multiple broken bones in his hand, while Payne has already undergone hours of surgery and will likely face several more procedures.
Funeral arrangements and public memorial details for Wagner are expected to be announced in the coming days.
“This tragedy reminds us of the risks our officers face every day,” Failing said. “Officer Wagner gave his life serving the people of Lorain, and we will ensure his legacy endures through our commitment to the community he swore to protect.”