HARRISBURG, Pa. — A bill renaming an I-81 exit after a Pennsylvania State Police trooper who died after being hit by a tractor-trailer has become law.
The interchange of Interstate 81 and Route 4007, known as Exit 119, will now be known as the PSP Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. Memorial Interchange, according to Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123).
The interchange lies on the border of Cass and Butler townships in Schuylkill County.
Pahira died on July 1 after being hit by a tractor-trailer while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection along Interstate 81 in Cass Township.
Argall and Twardzik said the trooper joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 2007 and most recently served as a motor carrier enforcement inspector with Troop L, Frackville.
He was the 106th state trooper to die in the line of duty, Argall and Twardzik said.
“Pennsylvania suffered a tragedy this summer with the loss of Trooper Pahira,” said Argall.
“Trooper Pahira represented the very best of our commonwealth, dedicating nearly 20 years of his life to serving his community and the people of Pennsylvania,” he added.
“The renaming of I-81 Exit 119 in honor of Trooper Pahira ensures that his courage, sacrifice and service to the commonwealth will never be forgotten,” Twardzik said. “May his name serve as a lasting reminder of the dangers our state troopers face and our enduring gratitude to those who protect us.”
After Pahira’s death, Argall and Twardzik said they introduced legislation to honor his legacy of service.
Their proposal was then incorporated into Senate Bill 1217, now Act 107 of 2026.