A funeral service for Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira Jr., who was tragically killed in the line of duty, will be held today (Wednesday, July 8) at North Schuylkill High School in Butler Township. Trooper Pahira was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer while conducting a vehicle inspection on I-81 near Ashland last week.
The public is invited to attend the visitation, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. The funeral procession will travel along Center Street in Ashland, drawing a large crowd of mourners, including first responders and members of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Route 61 will experience sporadic closures between Lehigh Avenue in Frackville and Lavelle Road in Butler Township from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the procession moves through the area. Traffic will be detoured using portions of Routes 61, 54, and 924.
The driver involved in the incident, who was living in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with homicide by vehicle.
Local police, including Ashland Borough Police Chief Gerard Daley, are coordinating efforts to ensure the day runs smoothly for those paying their respects. Chief Daley noted that the fire department will set up archways in Ashland to honor Trooper Pahira's final journey.
While the funeral service is open to the public, the burial will be private.
WNEP and WFMZ will provide special coverage of the services.