Pahira was killed Wednesday morning while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection on Interstate 81 South near Mile Marker 119 in Cass Township. According to Pennsylvania State Police, he was outside his patrol vehicle inspecting a commercial truck when he was struck by a passing commercial vehicle. The passing truck then collided with the commercial vehicle being inspected before catching fire.
The operator of the passing truck was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The crash remains under investigation.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Governor Shapiro called Pahira "one of Pennsylvania's finest public servants."
"Early this morning, Pennsylvania lost one of its finest public servants," Shapiro said. "He was a good man and he was a good cop and he was taken from us far too soon as he served our community."
The governor described Pahira as a Trooper who had dreamed of becoming a police officer since high school. He later attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy alongside close friends from his hometown before dedicating two decades to serving communities across eastern Pennsylvania with what Shapiro called "extraordinary distinction."
Pahira is a 2001 graduate of North Schuylkill High School.
Shapiro said Pahira's family and friends remembered him as someone who loved making people laugh and joking with those around him, but above all was known as a "kind soul."
Outside of law enforcement, Pahira was an accomplished athlete, holding Pennsylvania's high school record for the fastest pin in scholastic wrestling history with a seven-second victory. He also enjoyed watching documentaries, working on high-performance cars, and was known among family members as an excellent cook.
The governor shared emotional details about Pahira's devotion to his family, revealing that he had recently moved back into his parents' home to help care for his mother, Patty, who is undergoing cancer treatments.
According to Shapiro, just days before the crash, Pahira helped his mother shave her head as she underwent treatment and prepared steak fajitas for her because he wanted to make sure she was getting enough iron.
Shapiro said those acts reflected the kind of person Pahira was both in and out of uniform.
The governor also used the tragedy to recognize the sacrifices made every day by law enforcement officers across Pennsylvania.
"These women and men put on a uniform every day and go out and do this work to keep us safe. And sometimes they don't come home," Shapiro said.
He added that Pahira's death serves as "a horrible reminder of the service and the sacrifice" Pennsylvania State Police members make every day while protecting the Commonwealth.
"I sleep better at night knowing that the Pennsylvania State Police does this work in communities all across our Commonwealth," Shapiro said.
To honor Pahira's life and service, Governor Shapiro ordered all Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff.
The governor also offered a promise to Pahira's family, pledging the Commonwealth's continued support.
"We will be there for you now and we will be there for you every day into the future," Shapiro said.
Shapiro said Pahira's family and friends remembered him as someone who loved making people laugh and joking with those around him, but above all was known as a "kind soul."
Outside of law enforcement, Pahira was an accomplished athlete, holding Pennsylvania's high school record for the fastest pin in scholastic wrestling history with a seven-second victory. He also enjoyed watching documentaries, working on high-performance cars, and was known among family members as an excellent cook.
The governor shared emotional details about Pahira's devotion to his family, revealing that he had recently moved back into his parents' home to help care for his mother, Patty, who is undergoing cancer treatments.
According to Shapiro, just days before the crash, Pahira helped his mother shave her head as she underwent treatment and prepared steak fajitas for her because he wanted to make sure she was getting enough iron.
Shapiro said those acts reflected the kind of person Pahira was both in and out of uniform.
The governor also used the tragedy to recognize the sacrifices made every day by law enforcement officers across Pennsylvania.
"These women and men put on a uniform every day and go out and do this work to keep us safe. And sometimes they don't come home," Shapiro said.
He added that Pahira's death serves as "a horrible reminder of the service and the sacrifice" Pennsylvania State Police members make every day while protecting the Commonwealth.
"I sleep better at night knowing that the Pennsylvania State Police does this work in communities all across our Commonwealth," Shapiro said.
To honor Pahira's life and service, Governor Shapiro ordered all Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff.
The governor also offered a promise to Pahira's family, pledging the Commonwealth's continued support.
"We will be there for you now and we will be there for you every day into the future," Shapiro said.