Berks Firefighters Displayed Duty, Honor and Sacrifice for Their Community, Maloney Says

April 8, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) today offered commiseration and honorable gratitude for the volunteer firefighters who lost their lives to an impaired driver in the commission of their sworn duty to protect life and property in their community.

Fire Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Fire Chief Robert R. Shick Jr. of the Walnuttown Fire Company were killed in the line of duty Saturday when the side-by-side UTV they were using was hit on Route 222 in Richmond Township.

The men who were also neighbors were conducting a search and rescue for a missing woman.

“Alexander Sepulveda Rivera, 26, was charged with vehicular homicide while Driving Under the Influence and involuntary manslaughter and he already had outstanding warrants,” Maloney said. “Buck and Shick were volunteers out to rescue someone in distress. A tragedy like this is heartbreaking and should not happen. Yet, events such as these bring our community closer together, despite the loss.

“It is not known yet if this person was in the United States illegally, but Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) who immediately jumped up to make a proclamation for the media cameras and lower flags to half-staff, has a very bad track record on this specific issue.”

Shapiro has continually disregarded Act 87 of 2021 (Senate Bill 248 of 2021) which directs the governor each year to issue “a proclamation calling upon all public schools and educational institutions to observe "First Responders Day" and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions and remembering the sacrifices that first responders have made.”

“You can’t have it both ways, governor,” Maloney said. “Either you always stand up for them, or you don’t.”

Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner
717.260.6161
clardner@pahousegop.com
RepMaloney.com