COLUMBUS — In honor of the life and service of Lorain Police Officer Phillip Wagner, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Lorain County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus.
Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing said two officers were parked in their cruisers and eating lunch when they were shot. A third officer who responded to the scene was also shot.
“The suspect had parked at the dead end of Missouri Avenue and he had an arsenal of weapons with him,” Failing said in a press briefing. “He was lying in wait and opened fire with multiple rounds at both of the officers who are sitting in their vehicles.”
The two officers most seriously injured, Officer Brent Payne and Officer Phillip Wagner, were Life Flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. The third officer, Peter Gale, was wounded in the hand.
In an update on Thursday, the Lorain Police Department said Wagner, 35, died from his injuries. He was a three-year veteran of the Lorain Police Department.
The suspect was shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lorain County Coroner’s Office has identified the suspect as Michael Parker, 28, of Lorain.
The lowering of the flags order will remain in effect until sunset on the day of his funeral.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly U.S. and Ohio flags at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.