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A Churchill County Sheriff deputy’s action in a fatal shooting June 16 was self-defense, according to an investigation by the Nevada State Police.
The cause of both 46-year-old Denny Benka’s death and a vehicle fire remain under investigation, the June 25 release said.
The Churchill County Sheriff deputy has five years of service with the agency and more than 10 years of law enforcement experience. In accordance with agency policy, the report stated the deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation’s outcome.
The deputy, whose named has not been released, arrived at 7:44 p.m. to a reported fire on Trento Lane north of the paved road near the Mustang Pond recreational vehicle encampment. A vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. According to the report, the deputy contacted Benka, who was standing on the RV's porch near the fire.
The report said the deputy issued numerous commands directing Benka to move away so firefighters could extinguish the fire, but he refused to comply. The report stated he responded confrontationally. Benka also brandished a hatchet, and the deputy commanded Benka to comply and drop his weapon, but he refused.
Benka retreated into the trailer and re-emerged in the doorway brandishing a hatchet. The report stated the deputy drew his weapon and ordered Benka to drop the hatchet. Benka continued to remain noncompliant and returned to inside the trailer and re-merged in the doorway with what appeared to be a scoped high-caliber rifle. When Benka raised the rifle and pointed it toward the deputy, the NSP said the officer fired in self-defense.
The NSP said the deputy performed medical assistance to Benka and transported him to an ambulance where attendants attempted life-saving measures. Benka was pronounced dead at the scene.
A subsequent search at the scene located additional weapons on Benka including a knife and an object resembling an ice pick.
The NSP said Benka had an extensive Nevada criminal history dating to 1998, including prior arrests for resisting arrest, assault on a peace officer, battery and arson.