Officer Who Saved Man 'Doing My Job'

When Officer Mark Benoit was the first to arrive at a burning home at 6 Airport Road early this morning, he was able to think like a firefighter.

About ten years ago, before he joined the Grafton Police Department, he was a member of the for about 12 years.

So when he saw the garage heavily involved and rear of the home in flames, he had one immediate thought: “If water doesn’t get on this fire, it’s going to spread.’’

And that, he knew, could prove tragic.

Benoit knew the chances were good that someone was home because the fire struck in the middle of the night. He called out and banged on the door to alert the occupant.

When no one answered, he kicked in the door.

There he found a man in his late 80s, awake but nervous and a bit unclear about the sudden noise and commotion.

In his confusion, the man was initially reluctant to leave. But Benoit helped him outside and the man soon realized that his home was on fire.

The Grafton Fire Department knocked down the fire, the cause of which remains unknown. The garage was a total loss, along with the vehicles and equipment, including a snow blower, generator and compressor,  that had been stored inside.

The man was unable to return to the home, because power had been cut after a power line snapped and fell onto the scene.

He is now staying with family members, Benoit said.

Despite the rescue, Benoit does not consider himself a hero. He said he is uncomfortable with the attention he has received as a result of his actions.

Any of his colleagues would do the same thing, he said.

“I just did my job,’’ he said.