Wagner to retire from Purcellville Police Department

Beloved Purcellville Police Sergeant Robert Wagner will retire on April 1, after 20 years of service to the Purcellville Police Department, and over 29 years in law enforcement.

Sergeant Wagner graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1995 and started his law enforcement career that same year, with the New Wilmington Borough Police Department. Sergeant Wagner remained with them through 2002, until he relocated to Virginia, and started employment with the Middleburg Police Department in 2003.

On March 18, 2004, Robert Wagner took the oath as a Police Officer for the Purcellville Police Department, and since then, he has gone above and beyond to uphold that oath to serve and protect the Town of Purcellville. While with Purcellville, he was promoted to Master Police Officer in 2007, and promoted again to the rank of Sergeant in 2008.

During his time with the Purcellville Police Department, Sergeant Wagner served as the Department’s first Accreditation Manager, successfully leading the agency’s initial Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission accreditation in 2009, and subsequent, first reaccreditation in 2013. Sergeant Wagner also held the roles of certified Field Training Officer, which included training and mentoring new officers, and the Department’s Fleet Vehicle Manager, consisting of overseeing the in-car camera systems, and assisting with the records management systems.

Additionally, Sergeant Wagner’s experience as both a patrol officer and supervisor will be greatly missed. His keen criminal investigative skills helped establish himself as one of the most experienced and well-rounded patrol officers on the Department. Because of his strong work ethic and dedication to traffic safety, Sergeant Wagner consistently utilized traffic enforcement measures to increase safe driving. His passion for ensuring overall safety on our roadways is apparent in his efforts to prevent impaired and distracted driving, speed enforcement, and occupant protection.

Sergeant Wagner is known for his outreach efforts and connections within the Purcellville community, particularly with the younger residents. In 2006, he established and organized the Department’s first Law Enforcement Youth Explorer Post 1908. Under his guidance, the post won several prestigious awards to include the 2006 National Capital Area, Rookie Post of the Year, 2007 National Capital Area Law Enforcement Community Service Award, and the 2009 National Capital Area Law Enforcement Explorer Community Service Award.

In addition, Sergeant Wagner was often found engaging with the youth by connecting with them through sports. Being a former high school athlete himself, he used his skills to build rapport with the local high school student athletes. Each year, Sergeant Wagner was invited by the football coaches to toss the ball and have conversations with the players during pre-season, thus helping to build trust and connections on the field, which also carried over off the field. While on patrol, Sergeant Wagner would routinely drop in on games at any of the schools in town, as well as the baseball games at Fireman’s Field. All the while, easily starting conversations and building relationships with those he encountered.

During his off time, Sergeant Wagner continued to serve by volunteering to coach in several youth sports organizations in Western Loudoun County, Frederick County, and the City of Winchester. Even while off-duty, he was constantly fostering positive relationships with local youths, who even years later, still fondly remember his impact as a coach.

Sergeant Wagner was also known for his kind heart, often going above and beyond the call of duty to assist someone in need. Whether it was an elderly resident who had her walker stolen, which he organized the funds to replace, or a homeless man who he managed to assist by connecting him with his long-lost family members several states away, or organizing and building a new deck and ramp for a local resident and her elderly mother, Sergeant Wagner was always thinking of others.

During his tenure, Sergeant Wagner was recognized with numerous awards to include:

• 2022 Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Valor Award, Life Saving Award
• 2021 Community Service Award presented by NAM Knights of America
• 2017 Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Valor Award, Certificate of Valor
• 2017 Meritorious Action Award, issued by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
• 2006, 2009, 2012 & 2015 Safe Driving Awards- Purcellville Police Department
• 2014 & 2015 MADD Award- highest number of DUI Arrests for Purcellville Police Department
• 2013 Chief of Police Outstanding Service Award- Purcellville Police Department
• 2007, 2008 & 2011 Meritorious Service Awards- Purcellville Police Department
• 2006 & 2008 – “Police Officer of the Year Award” presented by American Legion Post 293

Sergeant Wagner is the epitome of a community engaged police officer. He was always willing to help a citizen in need, even if it was providing a simple service call, such as changing a flat tire, helping someone who accidentally locked their keys in their car, or leading the annual holiday gift basket deliveries to local families in need. His ability to continually foster positive and long-lasting relationships has been invaluable to both the Purcellville Police Department and the Town of Purcellville.

A retirement ceremony will take place on Friday, March 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Purcellville Town Hall at 221 South Nursery Avenue to recognize his accomplishments.