Public visitation and funeral services have been scheduled for Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Pahira Jr., who died in the line of duty on Wednesday, July 1.
Services will take place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at North Schuylkill High School Auditorium, located at 15 Academy Lane in Fountain Springs. A public visitation will be held from 8-10 a.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Msgr. William Glosser will officiate.
At the family’s request, the graveside services will remain private, reserved for Pahira’s family, close friends, and fellow members of the State Police. However, the family has invited community members and local first responders to line Centre Street in Ashland to honor Pahira as the funeral procession travels to the cemetery.
For those unable to attend in person, the funeral service will be livestreamed, with an access link to be provided.
Pahira, 44, of Ashland, was killed during a commercial vehicle safety inspection on the right shoulder of Interstate 81 southbound in Butler Township. According to court records, a tractor-trailer operated by Michael Bon, 33, of Brockton, Massachusetts, veered onto the shoulder, striking Pahira and his marked patrol vehicle. Pahira was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-East in Pottsville, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Bon has since been arraigned on charges including felony homicide by vehicle, felony aggravated assault by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter. He is currently being held at Schuylkill County Prison.
Pahira was a 2001 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, where he was a standout football player and a District Championship wrestler. He continued his wrestling career at East Stroudsburg University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
He graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 2007 as a member of the 124th Cadet Class. Over his nearly two decades of service, Pahira was assigned to Troop N in Lehighton, followed by Troop L in Schuylkill Haven and the Frackville barracks, where he worked as a patrol trooper before concluding his career as a Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a verified online campaign supporting his family (https://helpahero.com/campaign/support-the-family-of-tpr-michael-e-pahira-jr). Proceeds from the campaign will fund a wrestling scholarship established in Pahira’s name.
Pahira is survived by his parents, Michael and Patricia Pahira; his sister, Jen Buggy, and her husband, Damian; and his two nieces.
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