One year after the tragic death of Chris Wagner

Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of Wintergreen Police Officer Mark Christopher “Chris” Wagner II.

On June 16, 2023, Wagner was killed during an assault call reported in the Wintergreen community. His death shocked Nelson County and prompted county officials to lobby for a bill during this year’s Virginia General Assembly that would give private police officers benefits under Virginia’s Line of Duty Act.

Wintergreen police unveiled a memorial in Wagner’s honor on June 14.

Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell said he attended the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., in May and felt there should be something locally for Wagner.

“We felt we needed something to recognize and remember him,” Russell said.

The new memorial is a plaque that now sits in Dunlop Public Safety Plaza Garden at the Tuckahoe Clubhouse in Nellysford.

According to Russell, the Dunlop Public Safety Plaza Garden was originally created to express gratitude to the first responders who served for a decade.

“We thought this was the most appropriate place for the plaque for Chris,” Russell said.

More than 50 people gathered at the monument honoring Wagner on June 14, including medical workers who were on scene the night of the shooting and worked on Wagner.

Wagner’s father, grandfather and grandmother were also present at the unveiling of the plaque.

Curtis Sheets, chief of Wintergreen Fire & Rescue, attended the memorial and said it stirred up conflicting emotions.

“First, I continue to mourn the loss of such a wonderful young man. Second, I am very proud of the way our community has come together to support the family, each other, and to continually honor Officer Wagner’s legacy,” Sheets said.

“We came together as a family,” Russell said.

Along with the plaque, the road that runs around the Wintergreen Police Department is now officially recognized as a state road and is called the Wagner Loop.

“Chris was a special part of our lives and our community. He had an uncanny ability to help people,” Russell said.

Wagner was described as selfless and willing to help anyone who needed it.

“We want to keep Chris’ memory alive and want people to know who he was,” Russell said.

Daniel Barmak, of Towson, Maryland, is accused of killing Wagner during a confrontation. Wagner was the first officer to arrive on the scene and Wagner’s weapon was used against him, according to evidence presented during a Jan. 17 preliminary hearing in Nelson General District Court.

Barmak, who is charged with aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer and three other charges, is awaiting trial in Nelson Circuit Court.

The next status hearing on this case will take place on August 26 at 1 p.m.