North Kansas City community mourns loss of firefighter: ‘Rest in peace, hero’
The North Kansas City community is mourning the loss of a local firefighter after his sudden death this week.
Benoit Coussement, badge number 226, died unexpectedly in his home Wednesday, the North Kansas City Fire Department shared in a social media post Thursday.
Coussement, 29, joined the department in July 2020 and “quickly became a valued member” of the team, the department said. He was working to become a paramedic and was set to graduate from paramedic school in July.
“He was dedicated to serving others,” the department said. “...Benoit will be remembered for his commitment to the fire service and the positive impact he had on those around him.”
The comments on the department’s post were flooded with messages from community members, many offering their thoughts, prayers and condolences.
“May you all find peace and comfort in your memories of Firefighter Coussement,” the City of Olathe Fire Department wrote.
“RIP brother, prayers and condolences to your family and department,” one comment read.
“So so sorry to hear of this loss. Too young,” another commenter wrote.
“I got to know him at the academy and he was such a nice person. Prayers for everyone,” someone else wrote.
“Rest in peace, hero. Prayers for his family and his firefighter family,” another comment said.
The fire department asks the community to keep, “Benoit’s family, friends and fellow firefighters in your thoughts as they grieve this profound loss.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 2:29 PM.
