The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, in cooperation with Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell, are organizing this fundraiser for the family of fallen officer Chris Wagner. As Wintergreen Police Department is a private police department in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Officer Wagner's family is not eligible for line of duty death benefits from the state.
Message from Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell:
Mark Christopher "Chris" Wagner II was a dedicated Officer who served the Wintergreen, Va. community with honor. On June 16th, 2023 Chris answered his final call before taking his place with other heroes who have gone before him by laying down his life for the people he swore to protect and serve.
Chris, was thirty-one years old, a 2010 graduate of Spotswood High School, he was a resident of Stuarts Draft. Chris is survived by his immediate family and the men and women who were his Wintergreen Police family.
Chris started his career at Wintergreen in August of 2020. Previously he served seven years with the Massanutten Police Department starting out as a Gate Attendant and then becoming a Police Officer after graduating from the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Academy in May of 2019.
Chris asked for and worked the midnight shift. Whenever you saw Chris in the daylight, he wore dark dark sunglasses, and would crack a smile or two. Chris was dedicated to his job and whenever called for extra duty he was ready, willing and able. His love for the badge was evident and his commitment to the community was undeniable.
Chris was an avid outdoorsman, spending his off-time hiking and photographing nature. Chris is remembered for always going out of his way to cheer others up and his infectious laugh was loud and echoed throughout the office.
Chris was the Agency's TASER and BolaWrap instructor. His father, holding back tearful emotions, remarked that Chris was like Batman and was reminded of recently gifting him a batarang to go with all the tools Chris carried on his belt.
Chris Wagner, Wintergreen Police Officer ID #15, was and always will be a hero.
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PRESS RELEASE: VSP INVESTIGATING FATAL SHOOTING OF WINTERGREEN POLICE OFFICER
At the request of Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Appomattox Field Office is investigating the circumstances of an incident that resulted in the fatal shooting of a Wintergreen Police Officer and the injury of three others Friday night (June 16).
The incident began shortly after 10 p.m. Friday when an emergency call came in to the Wintergreen Police Department about an adult male resident having assaulted two other adult males at a residence on Arrowood Lane. After calling police, the two injured males fled the residence on foot. They are being treated at UVA Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.
At this stage of the investigation, it appears the first Wintergreen Police Officer to arrive at the residence located the adult male suspect in the nearby woods and a struggle ensued. During the course of the struggle, the officer was shot and died at the scene.
The male suspect was taken into custody without further incident by Wintergreen Police and the Nelson County Sheriff's Office. The male suspect was suffering from a non-life threatening injury and was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment.
Updates
With immense gratitude to all the donors, we've now closed this fundraiser and the final payout is being distributed to the Wagner family.
In an astonishing show of support, all of you – more than 700 supporters! – have raised in less than a week an amount equivalent to the Line of Duty death benefit that would have been paid by the state to Officer Wagner's family had Wintergreen PD been eligible to participate in the program. This is just incredible! We started this fundraiser with a much more modest goal and just a little hope that we could do something for the family to help with immediate expenses. But that initial goal was met within the first day, so then we just kept raising it little by little every time a new goal was exceeded. Even still, we never imagined $100,000 would be possible... let alone so quickly! We wish we could thank everyone individually, but we just can't keep up! On behalf of the Wagner family and Wintergreen Police Chief Russell, you all have our immeasurable gratitude for the gifts you've given, the sentiments you've shared, and the help you've provided by spreading the word about this fundraiser. We are humbled by the generosity and the group effort... bless you! -- The VACP 🖤💙🖤
We are blown away at the outpouring of support for Officer Wagner, his family, and the Wintergreen Police Department from the Wintergreen community and beyond! Your collective gifts, large and small, will be such a blessing to Chris's family. On their behalf, we can't thank you enough.
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Mr. Wagner and Family: We are so very sorry for your loss.
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Praying for you and your family. May God give you peace and comfort as you walk through this time of loss.