Kyle Pagerly's service to Berks County and its residents extended far beyond his job as a deputy with the sheriff's department.

He earned several professional titles outside of his role as a sheriff's deputy, but it was in his personal life that he was about to take on arguably his most important role as a father.

Sheriff Erik Weaknecht said Pagerly and his wife, Alecia, recently found out they were expecting their first child.

"He only found out about that a couple weeks ago," Weaknecht said during a news conference Thursday.

Born in Reading, Pagerly graduated from Wilson High School in 2001.

The same year, he graduated from the United States Army Military Police Academy and went on to serve in Kosovo in 2002 and Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

Pagerly then returned home and enlisted in the Reading Police Academy, graduating in 2005.

After becoming a basic graduate from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Pagerly joined the Berks County Sheriff's Department.

He attended the Philadelphia Police Canine Academy in 2009 and became one of the sheriff department's first K9 deputies.

In his role, he became known to many people through the various community and school events he participated in with his dog Jynx, who was trained in explosives detection.\

"It's a whole different level of responsibility. It really is," Pagerly told 69 News in March 2009.

At the time, Pagerly was finishing up training with Jynx.

"I mean I'm not just responsible for myself and another officer," Pagerly said then. "I'm responsible for myself and my dog, who looks to me for guidance."

Pagerly continued to train with other K9 officers throughout the county.

"[Reading K9 Officers] were very close with Kyle because they had the opportunity to train with him and did so quite often, so they're devastated as you can imagine," said Keith Claytor, vice president of the Friends of the Reading K9 Unit.

Even off-duty, Pagerly used his role as a K-9 handler to help educate others, extending his reach and service to his community even further.

LINK:YouTube Video Of K9 Demonstration At Blue Marsh Lake

"He was an excellent ambassador, a hard worker, very humble and loyal worker as well," Claytor said.

Pagerly also volunteered as a lieutenant with the Spring Township Fire Department.

"Very easy to get along with," said Chief Michael Roth. "He was a very strong leader, based on his military experience. He moved up the chain as a fire officer."

Roth said he and Pagerly's fellow firefighters are "taking it day by day."

LINK:Dep. Kyle Pagerly's Memorial PageLINK:Dep. Kyle Pagerly's 'Honoring Heroes' Page

Gov. Tom Corbett has ordered all Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol complex and at commonwealth facilities in Berks County lowered to half-staff in Pagerly's honor until he his laid to rest.

Sheriff Eric Weaknecht said the services will be held at the Sovereign Center on Penn Street in downtown Reading next Wednesday. The exact times have not yet been scheduled.

Pagerly's body will be returned to Berks County from the Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown at approximately 3:00 Wednesday afternoon. The procession will travel west on Interstate 78 and south on Route 61 into Reading. It will then turn onto 4th Street to Court and travel past the Berks County Services Center for a brief salute. From there, it will travel to the Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading.