Shooting by Churchill County sheriff’s deputy ruled self-defense

The Nevada State Police Division of Investigations released its preliminary investigation into an officer-involved shooting involving a Churchill County Sheriff’s Office deputy on June 16.

Dispatch received calls of a fire on Trento Lane, north of the paved roadway near Mustang Pong. At approximately 7:44 p.m., a CCSO deputy arrived on-scene and located a vehicle fully engulfed in flames. The deputy contacted an individual identified as 46-year-old Denny Benka, standing on the porch of his R.V. near the fire.

The deputy issued multiple verbal commands directing Benka to move away so firefighters could begin suppression efforts. Benka refused to comply, responded confrontationally, and brandished a hatchet. The deputy drew his firearm and ordered Benka to drop the weapon; Benka remained non-compliant.

Benka retreated into the trailer, then re-emerged in the doorway holding what appeared to be a scoped high-caliber rifle (later identified as a pneumatic rifle). When he raised and aimed the weapon at the deputy, the deputy fired to protect himself. The deputy provided medical assistance to Benka and transported him to the ambulance where medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, which were unsuccessful. Benka was pronounced deceased at the scene. A subsequent search located additional weapons on Benka, including a knife and an object resembling an ice pick.

The involved deputy has five years of service with CCSO and more than ten years of total law-enforcement experience. In accordance with agency policy, the deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Benka had an extensive Nevada criminal history dating to 1998, including prior arrests for resisting arrest, assault on a peace officer, battery, and arson. Had he survived, anticipated charges included attempted murder of a police officer, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon.

Based on the information known at this time, the deputy’s actions were in self-defense during a rapidly evolving, life-threatening encounter. The causes of both the fire and the officer-involved shooting remain under active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.