PENNSYLVANIA LINE OF DUTY DEATH~ Lieutenant Richard M. Benditt
On October 9, 2011, Lieutenant Richard Benditt of the Philadelphia Fire Department died in the line of duty. Lieutenant Benditt was dignosed with pancreatic cancer in July. I was privledged to work with him when we were both stationed at Engine 29, Medic 15, Rescue 1 in North Philly. In addition to being a excellent firefighter, I will always remember his clear eyes, willing laugh and endearing smile.
He first joined the Fire Department in 1977. In the 1980s, he received awards for bravery for pulling a woman from a burning trailer and for rescuing a baby from a rowhouse during a fire. In 1989, he left firefighting to run his own construction business in Chester County.
Lieutenant Benditt rejoined the Fire Department in 1996 and had to go through the training again. On his first day as a recruit at the Academy in 1996, he privately introduced himself to the Instructors. He requested that he not receive any special treament, and he asked that the knowledge of his prior service in the Department, and his awards for heroism be kept from the other recruits. Some firefighters do not need to wear rank on their uniforms to be leaders. Some, like Lieutenant Benditt, are recognized as leaders because of their character.
In 1999, Lt. Benditt was assigned to Rescue 1, the Philadelphia Fire Department’s elite heavy rescue unit in Northern Liberties. Like my good friend Firefighter Bobby Crossfield, Richie is one of the few elite technical rescuers from the Philadelphia Fire Department who responded to New York City on 9/11. In September 2001, he and 18 members of his unit joined the Pennsylvania Urban Search Task Force at ground zero in Lower Manhattan. For more than a week, the team worked the overnight shift and slept on cots during the day. Far too many of those who worked “the pit”, men like Bobby and Richie have been diagnosed with cancer. This silent epidemic is rapidly becoming for our generation, what Agent Orange is to the Vietnam Veterans.
Members of PA Task Force1 after their return from Ground Zero in 2001
There were many nice things said about Lietenant Benditt at his viewing. Congressman Robert Brady stood in line with the rest of the mourners, and presented Laura Benditt with a flag that was flown over the Capitol in honor of his service to our nation in the US Army, and on September 11, 2001. One his firefighters from Ladder 28 said, “not only did he know every tool and every piece of equipment the Fire Department had, he had mastered the use of all of them, and he could teach anyone how to use anything.” One of the nicest tributes paid to Lieutenant Bendit came from his friend, Firefighter Lou Brasten. At the viewing, Lou said, “If you ever needed a tool, he would lend it to you, and if he didn’t have one, he would buy it and then lend it to you.”
Lieutenant Benditt remained with Rescue 1 until 2008, the year he was promoted to lieutenant. At the time of his death, he was with Ladder 28 in Northeast Philadelphia. He is survived by Laura his wife, and Stephanie, his daughter. Please join with us in sending our condolences to the family and peers of Lieutenant Richard Benditt.
“Rest easy, friend. We’ve got it from here.”
Cards and letters can be sent to:
Philadelphia Fire Department
240 Spring Garden St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Firefighter Richie Benditt, Lieutenant Jim Barrett, Firefighter Lou Brasten, & Firefighter Mike Pateski
OBITUARY FOR LIEUTENANT RICHARD BENDITT
BENDITT, LT. RICHARD M. “MIKE,” age 61, October 9, 2011. Beloved husband of Laura M. (nee Alessandroni) of Philadelphia and devoted father of Stephanie A. Amen (Michael); also survived by his grandchildren Marissa, Bella, J.R., Ryan and Eva, mother Anna Ruth and his brothers Frank and William and his sister Kathy. He is predeceased by his son Richard M., II. He served 34 yrs. in the Phila. Fire Dept. recently Ladder 28, Platoon B. Funeral Mass Saturday 11:00 AM in St. Pius X Church,220 Lawrence Rd.,Broomall. Friends are invited to his Viewing Friday from 6 to 9 PM and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in The Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, Sproul and Lawrence Rds. in Broomall. Memorials may be sent in his name to theAbramson Cancer Center, c/o Penn Medicine Dev.,3535 Market St., Ste. 750,Phila.,PA19140. Internment Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery.
PENNSYLVANIA LINE OF DUTY DEATHS IN 2011
On October 12, 2011, Patrolman Derek Kotecki of the Lower Burrell Police Department was murdered in the line of duty.
On September 2011, Lieutenant Keith Rankin of the Lancaster Township Fire Department died in the line of duty.
On August 11, 2011 Police Officer Robert Lasso of the Freemansburg Borough Police Department was murdered in the line of duty. Police Officer Robert Lasso was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call at a home.
On July 11, 2011, Fire Police Lieutenant John Lackovic of the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company died in the line of duty.
On June 30, 2011, Deputy Kyle Pagerly of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department was murdered in the line of duty. Deputy Pagerly, 28, was pronounced dead after gunfire erupted while a task force was trying to arrest a man in Albany Township.
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