SALUDA COUNTY, S.C. — Two firefighters, who were volunteers with the Circle Fire Department, died while responding to a call for help. Those servicemen were Chief Chad Satcher and Firefighter Landon Body.
Monday, News 19 spoke with community members who knew and worked alongside these two men.
Within the past 72 hours, the Saluda County community has endured a lot of hardship: Hurricane Helene impacts, and at the same, loss of life.
These heroes who risked everything during this community's greatest hour of need are Chief Chad Satcher and Firefighter Landon Bodie.
"To also have this massive storm that has come in and hit us, and so we're trying to deal with the effects of that on top of having these two losses and it's just, it's been an absolutely devastating week for this community all the way around," said Josh Morton, Saluda County emergency management director.
Since Friday, local leaders said the Lexington County Fire Service has provided 2-3 member crews to cover each shift for the Circle Fire Department. On top of this, more help is on its way so that these fire service members can honor Satcher and Bodie as they're laid to rest.
"It has just been an outpouring of support. The firefighter mobilization has been activated to try to get some stations covered for Saluda County for the services over what I would assume to be over the weekend," said Josh Frye, Batesburg-Leesville fire chief.
According to the Saluda County fire coordinator, both firefighters will be transported from the Newberry County Memorial Hospital to Milton Shealy Funeral Home Tuesday around 11 in the morning.
Then services for Chief Satcher will be this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Batesburg-Leesville High School Fine Arts Center.
Fire officials said details about Firefighter Landon Bodie's funeral are still being planned.
Former and current fire chiefs from Batesburg-Leesville knew Chief Satcher, and wished they got to know Firefighter Landon Bodie.
"I understand he had just gotten on, but still yet, just a huge loss to the community. Everybody I have heard say anything about him is just nothing but good stuff, and I missed a huge opportunity getting to work with him and getting to know him I feel," Frye said.
"Just an easy-going guy. He wasn't loud and boisterous. He'd throw some jokes in there every now and then, but he was just a laid back guy who, he was never the center of attention but he was always that solid person that was going to be there to take care of his friends and family and his community," said Jay Hendrix, former Batesburg-Leesville fire chief and interim town manager.
Both are now remembered as heroes who devoted their lives to service.