Toledo police union president arrested on domestic violence charge
2/26/2018
Dan Wagner, left, speaks with defense attorney Robert Epstein on Monday in Perrysburg Municipal Court.
The Blade/Jetta Fraser
Buy This Image
The president of Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association pleaded not guilty Monday to a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence after officers responded to his Rossford residence.
Officer Dan Wagner, 50, appeared in Perrysburg Municipal Court on accusations he struck his adult son multiple times with a closed fist, court records show.
Judge Molly Mack released Officer Wagner on his own recognizance. She issued a no-contact order between him and son Ethan Wagner, 19. The judge further required Officer Wagner surrender his firearms.
WATCH: Daniel Wagner brought into court
Rossford police responded about 12:40 p.m. Sunday to Officer Wagner's residence. The son called police to report Officer Wagner assaulted him, Rossford police Chief Glenn Goss said.
“Our officers got a call to the residence for domestic violence. When the officers got there, they interviewed everyone at the scene and determined the primary aggressor was Dan Wagner,” Chief Goss said.
The younger Mr. Wagner suffered redness around his eye and face. He said he was struck twice, once in the head and face, Chief Goss said.
A report says the two were apparently arguing over noise from a cellphone, Chief Goss said.
Chief Goss said Officer Wagner cooperated with police, and the officers performed their duties as with any other call.
“There's no special treatment for anybody,” Chief Goss said.
Rossford police took two firearms from Mr. Wagner, his duty weapon and a personal firearm. They returned the service weapon to Toledo police.
Mr. Wagner did not return a call from The Blade seeking comment.
Toledo police placed Mr. Wagner, a 22-year veteran, on restricted duty. He will work in the department's records section.
Mr. Wagner remains on payroll but will have no police powers pending his criminal case. An Internal Affairs investigation will take place as well.
Contractually, the city pays Officer Wagner but he has been full time doing union business. As of October, Officer Wagner's hourly pay rate was $30.33.
Chief George Kral said in a statement TPD has more than 600 sworn officers, and the vast majority act in a way bringing credit to themselves and the city.
“I am proud of my officers for their professionalism and hard work day in and day out. I ask the citizens of Toledo to trust our system of due process and know that when officers fall short, they will be held accountable,” Chief Kral said.
In a statement, the police union said it recognized the incident was of a “personal nature” that occurred outside the scope of Mr. Wagner's employment.
“The TPPA will continue its normal day-to-day operations and is confident in its ability to perform its duties to represent the members of the TPPA,” it read.
Union officials declined further comment.
Robert Epstein, a Toledo attorney representing Officer Wagner, said at the hearing this is Officer Wagner's first time before the court. Mr. Epstein did not return an interview request.
“He's a well-respected member of both the Rossford and Toledo communities,” Mr. Epstein said.
Officer Wagner resigned last August from Rossford city council for what he described as health concerns, including concerns about his blood pressure. He had also posted insults toward other residents on an area Facebook page.
Officer Wagner is next set for a pre-trial March 19 in municipal court.
Staff writer Zack Lemon contributed to this report.
Contact Ryan Dunn at rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @RDunnBlade.