SC firefighters who died during Hurricane Helene to be honored with Midlands roads

Two mile-long stretches in Saluda County will be named for firemen who died in 2024 responding to Hurricane Helene.

Fire Chief Chad Satcher, 53, and Landon “Cale” Bodie, 18, died after a tree fell on the cab of their fire truck while answering a Hurricane Helene-related call on Sept. 27, 2024, according to resolutions requesting the honors.

The South Carolina House and Senate approved a resolution requesting the Department of Transportation name a stretch of Highway 391 on the Lexington-Saluda border the “Fire Chief Chad Satcher Memorial Highway.” Another resolution would name a stretch of Highway 378 the “Fireman Landon ‘Cale’ Bodie Memorial Highway.”

The bills passed in the House in 2025, and the Senate adopted them Tuesday.

“Chief Chad Satcher lived a life rooted in service to God, family and community, and gave his life answering that call to serve,” the resolution read. “It is only fitting and proper that his legacy is honored with a highway in Saluda County named in his memory.”

“Landon “Cale” Bodie lost his life in service to others and will be remembered for his warm smile, generous spirit and his unwavering dedication to his family, friends and community,” the resolution honoring Bodie reads.

Satcher was born in Columbia and graduated from Batesburg-Leesville High School in 1989. After graduation, he joined the Circle Fire Department and became fire chief in 2023.

Bodie was born in Saluda and graduated from Blythewood High School in 2024. He joined the Circle Volunteer Fire Department after graduation.