A Pennsylvania State Police trooper killed while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection in Schuylkill County was among nine fallen first responders honored , with the Keystone First Responder Award.
Governor Josh Shapiro presented the awards to the surviving families during a ceremony at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, according to an October 5 news release from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Trooper Michael Pahira Jr. Honored
Trooper First Class Michael Pahira Jr., assigned to Troop L in Frackville, was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle while conducting a safety inspection along Interstate 81 on July 1, 2026. He had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for nearly 20 years.
The ceremony marked the third annual presentation of the award, which recognizes Pennsylvania first responders who suffered fatal or career-ending injuries while serving their communities.
“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,” Shapiro said.
Also recognized was Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor, who was killed March 8, 2026, while initiating a traffic stop in Honey Brook Township, Chester County. O’Connor had served with the department for more than 15 years.
Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, identified in the release as acting commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, paid tribute to both troopers.
“Corporal Timothy O’Connor and Trooper Michael Pahira, Jr., made the ultimate sacrifice serving our Commonwealth,” Bivens said. “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.”
Seven Other Fallen First Responders Recognized
The other seven recipients were:
- Detective Mark Baker, Northern York County Regional Police Department: An Army veteran with more than 21 years at the department who was shot and killed September 17, 2025, while serving an arrest warrant.
- Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, Northern York County Regional Police Department: A 16-year department veteran killed while serving the same warrant.
- Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, Northern York County Regional Police Department: A 20-year department veteran also killed while serving the warrant.
- Chief Jeffory Buck, Walnuttown Fire Company: A member of the company for 43 years who was killed April 4, 2026, in a head-on crash on Route 222 during an emergency call to search for a missing woman.
- Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick Jr., Walnuttown Fire Company: A volunteer firefighter since his early teens who was killed in the same crash.
- Officer Andy C. Chan, Philadelphia Police Department: A 24-year department veteran who died December 2, 2025, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision while working in January 2019.
- Officer Kristen Yeager, Central Berks Regional Police Department: A patrol officer who died May 29, 2026, in a vehicle crash while responding to assist a neighboring police department. She had served with Central Berks for two and a half years and previously worked for other Berks County departments.
About the Keystone First Responder Award
The Keystone First Responder Award was established through Act 11 of 2024, signed into law May 8, 2024. The inaugural ceremony that October honored 12 Pennsylvanians.
For the 2026 awards, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency collected nominations, which were reviewed by a 10-member committee representing public safety agencies and organizations. Shapiro selected the recipients upon the committee’s recommendation.