LODD 360 - FIF002
Charleston, South Carolina
"May the lessons learned from a truthful and complete analysis of this incident prevent future tragedies"
- Charleston City Report
Theodore Michael Benke – Captain 16
Captain Mike Benke, age 49, was a 29 year veteran of the fire service. How he'll be remembered: Benke was a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also liked to take his son fishing, he was a
soccer coach, and his nickname around the firehouse was "Cappy." Captain Mike Benke was known to his fellow firefighters at Station 16 as a family man and NASCAR fan. He enjoyed laughing but was serious about his job, Captain Gary Taylor said. "You're kind of numb about these kinds of things. You're at a loss for words. It's devastating," Taylor said. Benke, 49, is survived by his wife, Kim, his daughter, Holly Gildea, 30, daughter, Taylor, 14, his son, Hunter, 10, and grandchildren, Kayla Cofield and Chris Cofield, Jr., Captain Taylor said. They live in Springfield subdivision. Benke always took his son fishing, Taylor said. Taylor, who also lives in Springfield, said he saw the Benkes often around the neighborhood. Benke was a soccer coach, and his kids
were active in sports. "He's a good fellow. Mike's good people. Good family man," Taylor said. He said Benke, a Charleston native, was a happy person who was always laughing and cutting up. He never saw Benke angry about anything. "He would do anything for anybody," Taylor said. Like many firefighters, Benke, a 29-year-veteran of the department, worked part time. He did inventory for Sears, Taylor said. Engineer Derek Noffsinger recalled Benke as an ambitious, organized person who was a role model for him. Benke had a map book of city streets that included family and career photos. He rode with the book on calls.
The inside of his locker was covered with family photos, Noffsinger said. "He was a good guy, a great guy. All of them were," Noffsinger said. Benke had relatives who were Charleston firefighters a generation ago. He was recognized as a person who knew his job, never complained and was soft-spoken. He was a
leader who gave off a quiet confidence. Sullivan's Island Town Manager Andy Benke, a first cousin to Benke, recalled him as a dedicated family man. "He was a devoted husband and father and took his responsibility to his family very seriously," Benke said.
- Charleston City Report
