'All-American hero': Former military officer killed in Cabarrus Co. structure collapse

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A Cabarrus County community is devastated after a former military officer was killed when a shed collapsed during Friday's storms.

The family of 28-year-old Bradley Benton told Channel 9's Stephanie Tinoco that Benton, his wife and a coworker were moving items into a shed along Zion Church Road when powerful winds knocked the shed down.

“They were moving some steps. They were getting some steps out because they have a new building they had just purchased and this tragedy happened,” said family friend Brendan Cashion.

Benton was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, where his family said he served as a military officer.

“All-American – that’s what he was and that’s what he wanted everyone to remember him by,” Cashion said. “Just loves his country, loves his family, loves God and just his community.”

The Allen fire chief said he knew Benton well because he volunteered with the department for six years. Benton also worked for the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office.

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Family and friends told Channel 9 that Benton was a great father, husband and friend who would do whatever it took to take good care of his family.

“All-around a good guy. He’d take a shirt off his back for you," said Cashion. "My heart breaks for the family and his boys.”

Cashion told Tinoco the family is removing the rest of the shed from the yard because it's a reminder to Benton's wife that her husband is gone.

"She doesn’t want to wake up and remember and have to look out the window and say that’s the last memory I have,” he said. “It’s just a tragic, tragic accident. He’s gone way too soon.”

Chopper 9 Skyzoom was overhead as multiple crews responded to the structure collapse.

Authorities said another person was taken to the hospital with injuries. The condition of that person is unknown at this point.

Tinoco asked Benton's family if there's anything the community can do to help and his mother-in-law said to pray because they are going through a very difficult time.

Family members said they will share funeral arrangements sometime next week.

Check back with wsoctv.com for more information. 

Cox Media Group