Camden, New Jersey — A familiar face in the city’s firefighting community, 61-year-old Howard Bennett, died Thursday after falling through the ice into the frigid Delaware River while carrying out what should have been a routine task. Bennett, a veteran of the Camden Fire Department, was checking on a department fire boat at the Wiggins Waterfront Park marina when the tragedy struck just before 11 a.m.
Colleagues watched in horror as Bennett slipped into the icy water near the docks. Rescue crews — including firefighters from Camden and neighboring departments — battled the cold and broken river ice to reach him. They searched for about 30 minutes before pulling him from the water and rushing him to Cooper University Hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Mayor Victor Carstarphen spoke with a somber tone at a news briefing, describing Bennett not just as a public servant but as a devoted husband, father, and brother. He said the city will stand by Bennett’s family during this painful time. “He wasn’t just a firefighter,” the mayor said. “He was someone who committed his adult life to protecting Camden’s residents.”
Fire Chief Jesse Flax and union leaders echoed the mayor’s grief, emphasizing how unexpectedly dangerous even routine duties can become for first responders. Bennett was well-versed in boat operations and was often the go-to person for marine-related work at the department, union president Pete Perez shared. His loss has left fellow firefighters reeling.
Officials have not yet released a full account of how Bennett fell through the ice. The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, which represents Bennett and other local firefighters, highlighted his decades of service and the deep friendships he built along the way. They also noted that peer-support resources are already being made available to Bennett’s colleagues as they cope with the shock and grief.
The scene at Wiggins Waterfront Park, usually quiet in winter’s grip, became a frantic rescue zone Thursday morning as crews cut through the ice and worked against time and freezing temperatures. Weather experts noted the river water hovered around the low-40s, where cold shock and hypothermia can set in quickly.
Camden now mourns a firefighter whose calm presence and steady skill helped protect the city for years. His death is a stark reminder that first responders face danger even outside flaming buildings — that risk follows them into everyday tasks that most people might never think twice about. The city plans to release details of funeral arrangements soon.
