Manchester cop charged in domestic violence case resigns

Hartford Courant - 3/14/2019

March 14-- Mar. 14--A veteran police officer facing a domestic violence charge resigned Thursday.

Jason Wagner, who had served in the department for about 16 years, was arrested recently on charges of second-degree unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct. Wagner appeared last week in Manchester Superior Court, where his case was transferred to Hartford Superior Court. Free without having to post bail, he is to appear in court again on May 1 to answer the misdemeanor charges,

Wagner wrote a letter to Police Chief William Darby saying he was submitting his resignation, effective Thursday, with the understanding that he would receive his full vested pension. Deputy General Manager Steve Stephanou said Wagner is eligible to receive a monthly pension of $4,393, beginning in October 2028.

Wagner had been on paid leave pending the outcome of the court case and an internal investigation. The criminal investigation started on Jan. 23 after two police officers told Chief William Darby that the victim, identified by sources as another Manchester police officer, "may have been subjected to both physical and verbal abuse" by Wagner while they were in a relationship, the arrest warrant says. The two officers who talked to Darby "stated that they were not necessarily a witness to incidents, but reported what they heard," the warrant says.

The current charges are related to an incident in July 2018, when Wagner angrily ranted against both his ex-wife and the former girlfriend, who said she told him she was leaving the house so he could cool off, police said. Wagner prevented her from leaving, standing in front of her and screaming in her face, the arrest warrant affidavit says.

Interviewed on Feb. 7, Wagner told a police captain that he did not remember the incident, but acknowledged "an anger problem that he has been working on since he was five years old," the affidavit says. The captain asked Wagner if he ever put his hands on the alleged victim, the warrant says, and Wagner answered, "No. Like I said, we argue and I yell when I get upset. Loudly."

Wagner's service record includes two medals of valor and a life-saving award, along with multiple meritorious and distinguished service citations and 18 letters of commendation and thanks., police spokesman Lt. Ryan Shea said.

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