Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr. attended North Schuylkill High School and graduated from East Stroudsburg University before enlisting with the Pennsylvania State Police on January 22, 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.
On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Trooper Pahira was conducting a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspection along I-81 Southbound near Mile Marker 119.3 in Cass Township, Schuylkill County. Trooper Pahira 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 became the 106th member of the Department to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in the line of duty. A funeral service was held on July 8, 2026, at North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School.
