Lorain officer has ties to Erie County

SANDUSKY — A local man who previously served in Erie County law enforcement was one of three Lorain police officers shot on Wednesday in an ambush-style attack. Officer Peter Gale, 51, of Sandusky, was among those wounded in the shooting. The other two are Officer Brent Payne, 47, and Officer Phillip Wagner, 35. Wagner died of his injuries on Thursday. What happened Gale, Wagner and Payne were shot after 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Wagner and Gale bought a pizza and were sharing it near a cul-de-sac on River Bend Drive when a lone gunman ambushed them with shots from a rifle. Payne was shot when he rushed to the scene to assist Gale and Wagner. The gunman died at the scene from return fire from police, the Chronicle-Telegram reported. Gale was taken to a local hospital. Wagner and Payne were flown by medical helicopter to MetroHealth in Cleveland. Wagner died there on Thursday. He was shot in the head, according to a police officer not authorized to comment publicly. Numerous police vehicles escorted Wagner's body from MetroHealth to Lorain on Thursday. Plans for his funeral have not been announced as of late Friday. Payne remains hospitalized. Gale was released and returned home to Sandusky. Local service Prior to joining Lorain police, Gale worked as a law enforcement officer in Erie County. Gale served with Perkins police from 2009 to 2022, according to Perkins police Chief Jeff Musser. He began his service as a part-time patrol officer. "Many current officers had the privilege of working alongside him and continue to maintain a strong connection to him to this day," Musser said. Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver said Gale also worked for Erie County Adult Probation. Oliver described Gale as a "good guy." Beth Schmitz, of Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Tygh Tone's office, said Gale worked for adult probation between 2005 and 2022. Fundraiser for Wagner A fundraiser launched to assist Wagner's family has raised over $105,000 as of late Friday. The Donate to Phil's Family for Immediate Relief fund was established on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe to raise $110,000. "I am Kasie Tillman, sister-in-law to Phil. I have decided (with my sister's blessing) to create a GoFundMe to organize some donations that people are so generously pouring out to my sister," the fund states. "I don't have many words right now, but any donations are appreciated and please keep them in your prayers," Tillman said. Tillman provided an update after Wagner's death on Thursday. "Please continue to keep Jessie and their children in your prayers, and be on the lookout for service arrangements," she said.