Camden Fire Department Honors its Fallen Brother from Tragic LODD
Photo by FRANK SAIAFF Howard Bennett, being carried by his company, Engine 1, rides under the flag draped arch after taking his final ride past his firehouse.
Photo by FRANK SAIAThe turnout gear of Camden FF Howard Bennett is displayed outside of his firehouse as the funeral procession passed by on the way to the Celebration of Life service following his LODD on February 5, 2026.
Photo by FRANK SAIACamden FF Howard Bennett, escorted by a police motorcycle motorcade stops at his firehouse for a brief tribute before continuing on to his Celebration of Life service.
Photo by FRANK SAIACamden Fire Chief Jesse Flax and members of the funeral detail lead the procession in to the auditorium for the Celebration of Life service.
Photo by FRANK SAIAMembers of the Camden Fire Department salute their fallen brother as he is prepared to go to his final resting place.
Photo by FRANK SAIAFirefighters salute their fallen brother.
Photo by Frank SaiaCapt. Howard Bennett on his way to his final resting place with a police escort.
Photo by FRANK SAIAMembers of the Camden Fire Department salute in a final tribute to their fallen brother before being taken to his final resting place.
In a tragic accident, on February 5, 2026, after performing routine maintenance on Camden's Fireboat 1, FF Howard Bennett fell into the water at the marina adjacent to the Delaware River. He was trapped under the ice for about thirty minutes until rescue crews could remove him. He was immediately rushed to the local trauma center in Camden where doctors and staff worked on him, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries. A Line of Duty Death is something that no fire department wants to face, but area fire departments and other public safety entities have surrounded the Bennett family and Camden Fire Department with enormous love and support. In times of unimaginable tragedy, the fire service comes together to comfort and support one of their own and they did it remarkably.
FF Howard Bennett was a 27 year veteran of the Camden Fire Department serving many years in Engine Company 1 which is also the assigned unit to staff the Fireboat. Howard was highly skilled at all things fireboat and loved doing his part in keeping the Fireboat operational. FF Howard Bennett was a mild mannered man who loved his job and the firefighters he worked with. The feeling was mutual from his brothers and sisters in the department.
On February 11, Brother Bennett would take his last ride on a firetruck as he was honored with a Line of Duty Death service and Celebration of Life before being laid to rest. Many family, friends, firefighters, and public safety members were in attendance and surrounded the Bennett family and Camden Fire Department members with love as they paid their respects in tribute to a fallen brother for a life well lived in service to others. FF Howard Bennett was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain. Howard's wife, Fran, shared a loving tribute of her husband with those in attendance. The Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums together with other area Emerald Societies paid tribute to Captain Howard Bennett with renditions of God Bless America and Amazing Grace. The Bennett family and the Camden Fire Department are very appreciative for the love and support that has been shown to them.
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