Police officer's funeral procession passing through area

The funeral procession for a slain Lorain police officer will pass through the area ahead of a burial in Sandusky County on Wednesday. Officer Phillip Wagner died July 24, a day after he and two other Lorain police officers were shot by an attacker; the other officers survived and the attacker was killed by return fire from police. Wagner, of North Ridgeville, was 35. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had been with Lorain police for four years, according to his obituary. "The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of community support, and would like everyone to know that they can continue to participate by viewing the services which will be televised live," the obituary states. A news release shared by the Erie County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday afternoon states that Wagner will be buried in a Sandusky County cemetery in a private ceremony, though those who wish to line the road to honor Wagner are encouraged to do so. Here's the full statement: The funeral for Officer Phillip C. Wagner, Lorain Police Department, will be held (Wednesday) morning at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, starting at 11 a.m. Following the funeral service, the procession will travel from Cleveland to the York Chapel Cemetery in York Township, Sandusky County (just west of the City of Bellevue) where Officer Wagner will be interred. The interment service at the cemetery is private. We anticipate that the funeral procession will arrive in our area in the mid-afternoon hours (2-3 p.m.) The processional route in our area will be as follows: • Ohio Turnpike westbound from Lorain County to State Route 4 (Exit 110), • North to Portland Road, • West on Portland Road (becomes County Road 175 in Sandusky County), • South on Sandusky County Road 308, • West on US Route 20, and • South on York Township Road 292 to the cemetery. There will be traffic delays as the procession passes through; portions of York Township Road 292 and Sandusky County Road 177 in the area of the cemetery will be closed to all traffic, vehicle and pedestrian. Community members who wish to line the route to honor Officer Wagner are encouraged to do so — please park off of the traveled portion of the roadway. Thank you in advance for your courtesy and patience.