As Chief Thomas held back tears at the news conference, Rae Wooten, the Charleston County coroner, read off the names of the nine firefighters who died. They were Capt. William Hutchinson, 48; Capt. Mike Benke, 49; Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34; Mark Kelsey, 40; Bradford Baity, 37; Michael French, 27; James Drayton, known as Earl, 56; Brandon Thompson, 27; and Melven Champaign, 46.
And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold a fiery chariot and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Eliseus saw him and cried: My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the driver thereof. And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own garments, and rent them in two pieces. And he took up the mantle of Elias, that fell from him, and going back, he stood upon the bank of the Jordan.
I hope that the families and the firefighter brothers and sisters can find the strength to go forward and pick up the mantle of those who were lost, and be at peace knowing that no greater love is there than one who gives one's life for one's brother.
Their years of service:
Captain William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48, 30 years of service; Captain Mike Benke, 49, 29 years of service; Captain Louis Mulkey, 34, 11.5 years of service; Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40, 12.5 years of service; Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37, 9 years of service; Asst. Engineer Michael French, 27, 1.5 years of service; Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 56, 32 years of service; Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27, 4 years of service; Firefighter Melven Champaign, 46, 2 years of service.
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