Reading FOP Lodge #9

06/25/2026

👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼

I was proud to support legislation in the Local Government Committee that would ensure the families of fallen police officers can continue receiving health insurance coverage.

During the committee meeting, I shared a personal experience from my time as Berks County Sheriff, when the wife of a deputy killed in the line of duty was informed she would lose her benefits just days after her husband’s death. While we were able to help her keep coverage through the birth of their child, not every family has someone to fight for them.

Our first responders put their lives on the line every day. We owe it to their families to make sure they are protected if the unthinkable happens.

06/24/2026

We’ve been excited to see the interest in our Patrol Officer position! If you’ve been thinking about a career in law enforcement, now is the time to take the next step.

Join us for our upcoming FREE Civil Service Testing:

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM (Doors close at 8:30 AM)

📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM (Doors close at 8:30 AM)

📍 Alvernia University Plex
465 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, PA 19607

No application is necessary. Just bring a valid form of ID.

We're looking forward to meeting everyone who comes out.

We’ll provide the training; you bring the commitment to serve.

See you soon!

-RPD

06/23/2026

This is a huge loss. Rest easy Joel… 💔

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Deputy Investigator Joel Bonilla.

For more than 31 years, Joel faithfully served the citizens of Berks County with dedication, professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Throughout his career, he touched countless lives through his service and made a lasting impact on this office, his colleagues, and the community he so proudly served.

Joel was more than a coworker—he was a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend. His commitment to helping others, his steady presence, and his willingness to serve will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Today, we mourn not only the loss of a dedicated public servant but also a member of our Berks County Coroner’s Office family. The void left by his passing cannot be measured, and there are simply no words that can fully express the sadness we feel.

We ask that you keep Joel’s family, friends, and fellow members of the Berks County Coroner’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest easy, Joel. Thank you for your years of service, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to the people of Berks County. Your legacy will live on, and you will never be forgotten.

06/11/2026

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

Got ‘em!

ARREST MADE FOLLOWING RECKLESS DRIVING INCIDENT

On the evening of June 7, 2026, videos began circulating on social media showing a male engaging in reckless and careless driving in the area of the Pagoda.Shortly after, Reading Police Officers identified the driver as 37-year-old Reading resident Jean Muniz-Hernandez.

On the morning of June 8, 2026, members of the Reading Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit located and took Muniz-Hernandez into custody following a brief foot pursuit. Officers also discovered that he had several outstanding warrants.Appropriate charges will be filed in connection with this incident.

The Reading Police Department reminds motorists that reckless driving endangers everyone on our roadways and will not be tolerated.

The Reading Police Department wants residents and visitors to enjoy community gatherings and events throughout our city in a safe, respectful, and lawful manner.

We welcome the public's use of our parks, landmarks, and public spaces, but reckless behavior, dangerous driving, and actions that place others at risk will not be tolerated.

Our goal is to ensure that everyone can enjoy these events safely while protecting the quality of life of those who live, work, and visit Reading.

-RPD

06/05/2026

🕊️ In memoriam on the 22nd Anniversary 🕊️

Police Officer Michael Harry Wise, II
Reading Police Department, PA
End of Watch: Saturday, June 5, 2004

Police Officer Michael Wise died of wounds he received when he was accidentally shot by another officer who mistook him and two other undercover officers for suspects during a shootout in the 700 block of Schuylkill Avenue.

Officer Wise and the two undercover officers were conducting a search for a suspect involved in an earlier shooting when they observed a man exit a car in front of them holding a handgun. The man immediately opened fire on the officers when he saw them. Officer Wise and another one of the officers exited the patrol car and exchanged fire with the suspects.

At the same time, another officer came upon the scene and observed the shootout. Thinking the officer still in the car was one of the suspect, he ordered him to drop his weapon. As the undercover officer continued firing at the suspect the uniformed officer fired four rounds. One of the rounds deflected off of the undercover car and struck Officer Wise in the head.

The undercover officer in the vehicle drove Officer Wise to a nearby hospital and he was then airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where he later died from his wounds. The other undercover officer continued chasing the suspect and apprehended a short time later.

The suspect was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to only 13.5 to 27 years in prison.

Officer Wise had served with the Reading Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and one daughter.