FNN Article 
Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
MANSFIELD PA – Word that Mansfield Borough Police Chief Zachary Stager suddenly passed away rapidly traveled across Mansfield Borough, local fire and EMS stations and across Tioga County, as well as surrounding counties in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Shock and disbelief seem to be the words most people used after hearing this heartbreaking news.
Chief Stager earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Mansfield University and he graduated from the Mansfield Municipal Police Academy in 2009.
He was a member of the Mansfield Borough Police since 2010 before being named Chief of Police in 2023. Chief Stager remained a strong partner to the Mansfield Campus and University Police Department.
Chief Stager was indeed a pillar of the Mansfield community and a very dedicated police officer who always went above and beyond to assist people on the job and off the job.
According to family, friends, and community members, Chief Stager was a loving son, a devoted father, a trustworthy friend, and admired by those whose lives he touched by his kindness, compassion and leadership.
Stager loved the peacefulness of nature. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He lived life passionately and fully as it showed in his smile, as well as by his actions.
Many who knew Zach Stager will recall their own particular stories, cherished memories or a specific moment in time they shared with him. May those instances bring a smile to your day when you think about him.
May his legacy as an officer, leadership and community service with integrity, be carried on by his fellow officers serving under him.
In memory of Mansfield Police Chief Stager, flags across all Commonwealth University campuses were lowered to half-staff, at Mansfield, Bloomsburg, and Lock Haven campuses.
Zach Stager was 39-year-olds when he passed away unexpectedly on June 22, 2026, at the hospital. He leaves behind his young daughter, Jamie, his brother, Jonathon and his parents, Roger and Sherri.
FNN staff members extends our heartfelt prayers to Stager’s family, close friends, fellow officers and the entire Mansfield community during this time of great loss. We all will miss him greatly.
