BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — This weekend the Saluda County community came together to remember the lives of two Circle Volunteer Fire Department firefighters: Chief Chad Satcher and Landon Cale Bodie.
Both first responders lost their lives on Friday, September 27, 2024, while responding to a call for help during Hurricane Helene.
Chief Satcher's funeral was Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the Batesburg-Leesville High School Fine Arts Center. Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m., community members returned to the same location to remember and say their final goodbyes to Bodie.
"Final call for 844 firefighter Bodie dispatch. 844 firefighter Bodie, thank you for your service and dedication. You'll be missed but never forgotten. Firefighter Bodie your assignment is now complete and well done. You're free to go home. May you rest in peace. Dispatch clears 1758."
The sound of a bagpipe and trumpet rung out across Batesburg-Leesville Sunday afternoon as immediate family, friends, former classmates and about 200 firefighters from across the state showed up to pay their respects to firefighter Landon Cale Bodie.
It was a full honors line-of-duty-death funeral for the 18-year-old who died a little over a week ago in route to put out a fire during the height of Hurricane Helene hitting the Midlands. A tree fell on the responding fire truck, killing both Bodie and his fire chief Chad Satcher.
"Volunteers, they're there for their community. If they didn't have it, they wouldn't have a fire service, so it's a special group, special mentality and they're very tight knit people," said Jamie Helms, SC State Firefighters Association executive director.
Both firefighters volunteered their time to serve their community and were members of one of seven volunteer fire departments in the county.
Helms said family members described Bodie as very passionate and all-in for the fire service.
"Just out of high school, just got on with the fire service, but his passion was amazing to hear his family talk about it. His desire, he did not want to wait for classes, he wanted them now," Helms said.
The procession traveled from Batesburg-Leesville High School's Fine Arts Center to Bodie's final resting place at Beulah Baptist Church.
Now he'll never be forgotten, but always remembered.
The SC State Firefighters Association said they're accepting donations for the families of both firefighters. If you'd like to donate, you can click here.
