Updated June 28, 2023
Wintergreen Police Officer is laid to rest.
Details

Mark Christopher Wagner II “Chris”, was a dedicated Officer who served the Wintergreen community with honor. On June 16, 2023 Chris Wagner 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. (Details on the incident that led to his death and the subsequent arrests are HERE.)

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 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.

—with a heavy heart, Dennis Russell, Wintergreen Chief of Police

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, in cooperation with Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell, is 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. Learn more here:
Fund the First | Fallen Officer Mark Christopher "Chris" Wagner II, Wintergreen Police Department (VA)