Lorain, Ohio – Officer Phil Wagner of the Lorain Police Department was killed in an ambush on July 23, prompting an outpouring of love and support.
Custom Wood Light Graphics is currently selling memorial coins.
Jennifer Storm came up with the concept for the coins. She worked with the company, which is run by Eric Flansburg, a police officer in New York, to have a coin made in honor of her husband, who is also a police officer.
Storm told FOX 8 News that Flansburg was immediately on board to create and sell coins, with half of the profits going directly to Wagner’s wife Jessica and three children.
Storm approached Wagner’s sister-in-law in the days following his funeral and proposed the idea for the coin.
She wanted to help organize a fundraiser to help financially support the Wagners.
“I just can’t imagine what they’re going through,” Storm told me. “Any money that can be returned to her so she does not have to worry about it is my goal. To make her life a little easier and give her one less thing to worry about.”
She worked with the family to ensure that the coin reflected their vision.
“They’ve been absolutely amazing. They’re a wonderful family. “They are extremely nice,” she added.
Storm then brought the design to Flansburg. She said he worked quickly to get things ready for this fundraiser.
“I’m honored to be a part of something like this, and I sincerely hope that we can reach out to the community not only in Ohio, but throughout the United States. “I hope people make some purchases to help this family,” Flansburg said.
He will also donate a coin to Jessica Wagner and each of the three children, as well as an 8-inch plate featuring the coin design.
The design can be applied to items other than coins.
Anyone interested in supporting the Wagner family can visit the fundraiser website here.
