NELSON COUNTY, Va. — A Nelson County judge sentenced Daniel Barmak to 48 years in prison on Monday for the 2023 murder of Wintergreen Police Officer Chris Wagner, who was killed while responding to a violent domestic situation at a mountain cabin, WSET reported.
Judge Michael Doucette called the case “horrific” and said that in his 40-year legal career, he had never witnessed anything as terrifying as the body camera footage showing Wagner’s final moments, according to the report.
Barmak, who pleaded guilty in February 2025 to second-degree murder, use of a firearm and malicious wounding, was sentenced to 40 years for second-degree murder, three years for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and five years for malicious wounding.
The night of the killing
The fatal shooting happened in June 2023, after Barmak consumed a mixture of ketamine and psychedelic mushrooms while staying at a cabin with friends. According to prosecutors, Barmak became violent and attempted to kill his companions, prompting a 911 call. Wagner responded to the scene, where he was shot five times in the head and once in the torso by Barmak, according to the report.
Wagner was later found unresponsive by fellow Officer Smith, who testified in court about the chaos he encountered, including Barmak growling and resisting arrest, and Wagner lying without a pulse, shot in the head.
Emotional testimony
In court, Mark Wagner, Wagner’s father, expressed his anguish and fury toward Barmak.
“You are an adult. You chose to continue to be that manner of person,” Wagner said, later adding, “You’d have to work several lifetimes to pay back or even minimize the damage you’ve done. No one on this side of the discussion wants you to live any further in this life.”
Barmak, visibly emotional, apologized and said he is haunted daily by what he did.
“I wish down to the very core of my being that I could take back my actions from that day,” he said.
Officer Wagner, who joined the Wintergreen Police Department in 2020, was described by Chief Dennis Russell as a man who “felt like a son.” He had recently bought a home for his family and helped care for his younger brothers, according to the report. His death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Wintergreen community.
Final sentence
While the defense requested a 10-year active sentence, citing Barmak’s remorse and mental health struggles, the Commonwealth’s Attorney sought 63 years, arguing that the officer’s death was the foreseeable result of voluntary, deliberate actions.
The court settled on 48 years, effectively ensuring Barmak will spend the majority of his life behind bars.
“Officer Wagner put his life on the line to save the victims here and even the defendant from himself,” said prosecutor Daniel Rutherford. “And it cost him his life.”
