Lorain, Ohio — David Toepfer, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, joined a number of other officials in expressing his condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of fallen Lorain police officer Phillip Wagner.
Officer Phillip Wagner, 35, died at MetroHealth Medical Center on Thursday. Wagner, along with officers Peter Gale, 51, and Brent Payne, 47, were shot in what was described as an ambush attack.
In a news release issued Friday, Toepfer stated that the loss serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement faces.
“There are no words to express the depths of pain in losing such a young life to a senseless act of violence,” he told reporters. “We have lost a community protector who dedicated his career to ensuring others’ safety. We will be eternally grateful to Officer Wagner for his bravery and sacrifice in service of others.”
He also asked that people keep officers Gale and Payne in their thoughts and prayers.
This announcement comes shortly after Toepfer was sworn in by Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi, according to a separate press release issued Thursday.
President Donald Trump nominated him in July.
“It is an honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Northern Ohio in this capacity.” “Our office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to protect the public by aggressively enforcing US laws,” Toepfer stated in the release. “I am thankful for the trust President Trump and Attorney General Bondi have placed in me, and for the support of Senators Moreno and Husted as the confirmation process proceeds through the Senate.”
