Pennsylvania State Police Funeral for Fallen Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr.

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July 08, 2026 - Ashland, PA

Pennsylvania State Police Funeral for Fallen Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr.

The services were held at the North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School, located at 15 Academy Lane in Ashland.

Trooper Pahira was conducting a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspection along Interstate 81 South, Mile Marker 119 in Cass Township, Schuylkill County, and was outside his vehicle, standing in the vicinity of the cab of the CMV, actively engaged in the inspection. The CMV was stationary on the right shoulder of the highway. Trooper Pahira's marked patrol unit had its emergency lighting activated and was positioned directly behind the CMV. A second CMV was also traveling southbound on I-81 and approached the location. The second CMV left the roadway and struck the patrol unit's side view mirror. It then impacted the rear of the CMV, which was being inspected, pushing it further off the roadway. The second CMV then struck Trooper Pahira. Both CMVs caught on fire after impact. Trooper Pahira was seriously injured and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Trooper Pahira enlisted with the Pennsylvania State Police in January 2007 as a member of the 124th Cadet Class. Upon graduation from the State Police Academy in August 2007, Trooper Pahira was assigned to the patrol unit at Troop N, Lehighton. He was transferred to Troop L, Schuylkill Haven, in March 2013, before transferring to Troop L, Frackville, in March 2016, where he served as a Motor Carrier Inspector in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit.

Trooper Pahira is the 106th member of the PSP to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in the line of duty.

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