Camden Firefighter Who Died In Workplace Accident Laid To Rest

CAMDEN, NJ — Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday for funeral services honoring Howard Bennett, the veteran Camden firefighter who died last week from an on-duty accident.

Firefighters from throughout the region joined friends and family for services at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden.

Bennett, 60, served the Camden Fire Department for 26 years.

On Feb. 5, Bennett and fellow firefighters were conducting routine maintenance for a fire boat on the Delaware River when Bennett through the icy surface, officials said. Firefighters from Camden and surrounding agencies pulled him out and rushed him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that day.

Bennett has been remembered as a dedicated firefighter, a mentor and a skilled handyman. He especially loved Fire Boat 1, piloting it during emergencies in the river, according to nj.com.

"He was my best friend and the best husband," said his wife, Fran Bennett. "He was always, for me, my safety net."