Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro presented the 2026 Keystone First Responder Award to the surviving families of nine Pennsylvania heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony, held at the Governor’s Residence, marked the third annual presentation of the award created by bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Shapiro last year.
The Keystone First Responder Award recognizes first responders who have suffered fatal or career-ending injuries while serving their communities, honoring their bravery, sacrifice, and commitment to public safety.
“Two years ago, we established the first Commonwealth-wide awards ceremony to honor and remember those first responders and law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “We owe these heroes and their families a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid – but today we honor their sacrifice, remember their courage, and reaffirm our commitment to always stand with Pennsylvania’s first responders, law enforcement officers, and their loved ones. These nine heroes lived lives of great distinction and purpose – and their courage, selflessness, and commitment to community will continue to inspire us for years to come.”
The nine awardees recognized this year were:
- Detective Mark Baker, Northern York Regional Police Department (End of Watch: September 17, 2025) – Detective Mark Baker was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving an arrest warrant, alongside two of his colleagues. Detective Baker was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Northern York County Regional Police Department for over 21 years. He had previously served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
- Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, Northern York Regional Police Department (End of Watch: September 17, 2025) – Detective Cody Becker was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving an arrest warrant, alongside two of his colleagues. Detective Becker had served with the Northern York County Regional Police Department for 16 years.
- Chief Jeffory Buck, Walnuttown Fire Company (End of Watch: April 4, 2026) – Fire Chief Jeffory Buck was killed in a head-on crash on Route 222 during an emergency call while searching for a missing woman. Chief Buck dedicated his life to serving others and was a member of the Walnuttown Fire Company for 43 years.
- Officer Andy C. Chan, Philadelphia Police Department (End of Watch: December 2, 2025) – Officer Andy Chan died in December 2025 due to injuries sustained from a motorcycle collision while working in January 2019. Officer Chan had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 24 years.
- Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, Northern York Regional Police Department (End of Watch: September 17, 2025) – Detective Isaiah Emenheiser was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving an arrest warrant, alongside two of his colleagues. Detective Emenheiser had served with the Northern York County Regional Police Department for 20 years.
- Corporal Timothy O’Connor, Pennsylvania State Police (End of Watch: March 8, 2026) – Corporal Timothy O'Connor was killed in the line of duty while initiating a traffic stop in Honey Brook Township, Chester County. Corporal O'Connor had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for over 15 years.
- Trooper Michael Pahira, Jr., Pennsylvania State Police (End of Watch: July 1, 2026) – Trooper First Class Michael Pahira was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle while conducting a vehicle safety inspection along I-81 in Schuylkill County. Trooper Pahira had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for nearly 20 years and was assigned to Troop L in Frackville.
- Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick Jr., Walnuttown Fire Company (End of Watch: April 4, 2026) – Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick Jr. was killed in a head-on crash on Route 222 during an emergency call while searching for a missing woman. Assistant Fire Chief Shick was a volunteer firefighter with the Walnuttown Fire Company since his early teens. He served as the assistant chief for multiple years, most recently since 2024.
- Officer Kristen Yeager, Central Berks Regional Police Department (End of Watch: May 29, 2026) – Officer Kristen Yeager died in line of duty in a vehicle accident while responding with lights and sirens to assist a neighboring police department with an incident. Officer Yeager served with the CBRPD for two and a half years as a patrol officer. Prior to serving the CBRPD, Officer Yeager served in several Berks County police departments, most recently Bally Borough Police Department.
“Corporal Timothy O’Connor and Trooper Michael Pahira, Jr., made the ultimate sacrifice serving our Commonwealth. They embodied the core values of the PSP and what it means to be a Pennsylvania State Trooper, devoting themselves to public service and fearlessly laying down their lives to protect others,” said Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The sacrifices these two men made represent the very best of the PSP, and we must ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten, and their legacies live on forever."
“These men and women represent the very best of Pennsylvania’s first responders. They made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the public and we commend them for their commitment to the very end,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “Their desire to make our Commonwealth a better place should never be forgotten, and their legacy will stand as a shining example of what it means to serve others.”
“Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Chief Robert R. Shick, Jr. devoted their lives to the fire service. Together, they served the Walnuttown Volunteer Fire Company for decades, exemplifying their strong commitment to protecting their community,” said Deputy State Fire Commissioner JC Tedorski. “Their tragic loss reminds us of the courage required each time a first responder answers the call. Their legacy of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire the Commonwealth for generations to come.”
The Keystone First Responder Award was signed into law as Act 11 of 2024 by Governor Shapiro on May 8, 2024. The inaugural ceremony in October 2024 honored 12 Pennsylvanians, and the program will continue to recognize first responders each year who gave their lives or careers in service to the Commonwealth.
Nominations for the 2026 awards were collected earlier this year by PEMA through an online form. Governor Shapiro selected the recipients for the 2026 awards upon recommendation from the awards committee, which carefully reviewed all nominations. The ten-person awards committee is made up of the PEMA Director, State Fire Commissioner, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Director, Department of General Services Secretary, Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association President, Pennsylvania National Emergency Number Association Director, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President, and Pennsylvania State Coroners Association Director.