Kyle Pagerly, Berks County Deputy Sheriff, was shot multiple times and killed Wednesday after responding to a call in Albany Township that also led to the death of the suspect, Michael Connor, who killed him.
Officer Pagerly was only 28 yrs. old. Married and leaves behind a wife who only recently ( two weeks ago) was given the news that the two of them were expecting their first child.
To them, I offer my sincerest condolences to his widow, family and friends. Even though I didn’t know Officer Pagerly, I felt the need to write this. I so admire our men and women who protect us. And I was profoundly affected by what transpired when I heard the news. I’ve been a huge supporter of the Reading K-9 Unit. To know them is to respect the work they do with their canine partner. To know them is understanding the bond each has with his K-9 partner. And I do. Each is a special team. Each is a police officer. And Jnyx, Pagerly’s partner has now lost his.
From all news accounts, Keith was a much-liked and well-respected man. He was a war veteran, volunteer firefighter and he was instrumental in creating and being one of the first Berks County Sheriff K-9 handlers.
When a K-9 handler and his K-9 partner form a bond, it is for a lifetime. Each has each other’s back. Unfortunately and sadly, Jynx was not able to save Keith’s life. But Jynx did, most likely, save the lives of other officers according to an article in the Reading Eagle. The following is an excerpt of that article:
“Deputy Sheriff Kyle D. Pagerly’s K-9 partner, Jynx, tried to save the mortally wounded officer and likely did save the lives of other officers searching for Matthew M. Connor in the woods near his family home in Albany Township, officials said Thursday. Connor, 25, took cover in a sniper’s nest at the top of a steep hill in the woods Wednesday night when the fugitive task force of federal, state and local officers team went to the property on Pine Swamp Road with a warrant for his arrest, according to state police. Jynx alerted Pagerly to Connor, who was in full camouflage, troopers said. Moments later, Connor stood up and refused an order to drop his semiautomatic rifle, investigators said. Pagerly and Connor were both fatally wounded in the shootout that ensued. “Jynx was a hero because he alerted on this guy,” an investigator said after a press conference Thursday in the state police station on Kenhorst Boulevard. “There could’ve been more people killed or injured if it were not for that.” And District Attorney John T. Adams said that after Pagerly was shot, Jynx grabbed his partner’s pants leg and tried to pull him to safety. It might have been one of the 3-year-old German shepherd’s last official acts as a member of the sheriff’s department, according to Sheriff Eric J. Weaknecht.
And this is what I want the public to know about the inseparable bond between an officer and his K-9 partner. Jynx was there for Kyle as any police officer would do. Because Jynx did alert Officer Pagerly, he did, in fact, do his job. But also the job of saving other officers.
As I offer my sympathies to the family and friends of Officer Pagerly, let us not forget that Jynx is now without his partner. Jynx will remain with the family as stated on WFMZ.
I offer my sypmathies to Jynx. He is suffering a tremendous loss. Perhaps the public doesn’t understand that the bond between Officer and K-9 is not only as their partner but as a family member. The bond runs deep. Sometimes, these K-9 dogs lose their will to live after their partner dies or is killed. The widow of the late Officer Pagerly stated on WEEU this morning that she couldn’t handle another loss. Jynx will live out the remainder of his life as a family pet.
My sympathies to the Berks County Sheriff’s Dep’t and families. You have endured a huge loss.
RIP, Kyle Pagerly.
Click on the following links to hear more about this senseless and tragic murder.
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UNCUT VIDEO: News Conference On Deputy Shooting (6/30) UNCUT VIDEO: News Conference On Deputy Shooting (6/29)
6/29/11 STORY: Sheriff’s Deputy Shot, Killed In Line Of Duty 1/13/11 STORY: Dep. Pagerly Talks About Vest Donations LINK: Dep. Kyle Pagerly’s Memorial Page