Camden Firefighter Howard Bennett Remembered as Mentor After On-Duty Death

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Howard Bennett, a 60-year-old veteran firefighter in Camden, New Jersey, died last week after falling through the icy surface of the Delaware River while conducting routine maintenance on a fireboat. Bennett was known as a skilled carpenter, patient teacher, and mentor to younger firefighters both on the job and in his personal life.

Why it matters

Bennett's death is a tragic loss for the Camden Fire Department and community, as he was widely respected for his expertise, commitment to teaching others, and passion for his work. His obituary highlights the important role veteran firefighters can play in passing on knowledge and life skills to the next generation.

The details

According to Bennett's obituary, he was a firefighter for 26 years and took immense pride in Fire Boat 1, which he treated as an extension of himself. He was conducting routine maintenance on the fireboat on the Delaware River when he fell through the icy surface and later died at the hospital.

• On Thursday, February 6, 2026, Bennett fell through the icy surface of the Delaware River.
• Bennett was pronounced dead at the hospital later that same day.

What’s next

Funeral services for Bennett are set for Wednesday, February 11th at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden. The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey has also set up an emergency-relief fund for Bennett's family.