Posted on June 22, 2025.
It is with great sadness that we share the news that TDI founder and Chief Instructor, John Benner, has lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully early this morning. John served in the Army as a Military Policeman from 1966 to 1969 including a deployment to Vietnam. After parting from the Army, Mr. Benner entered law enforcement serving 45 years. He ran the Drug Abuse Reduction Task Force (DART) for 5 years and spent 25 years as a member of the Hamilton County Police Association Regional SWAT Team, 20 of those as a SWAT Commander. In addition to serving the people of Hamilton County, John founded the Tactical Defense Institute, building it into one of the most respected training organizations in the nation.
Mr. Benner devoted his life to serving the public in one capacity or another. Either as a law enforcement officer, soldier, or firearms instructor for civilians desiring to learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones. Mr. Benner also spearheaded the training of armed school staff in response to active shooter shortly after the tragedy at Sandyhook Elementary, which led to the development of the FASTER Saves Lives program, which has become a nationally recognized non-profit organization.
John Benner was an amazing individual, gifted instructor, and good man. He wanted nothing more than the legacy he built of Tactical Defense Institute to continue training civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel after he was gone. In our strongest efforts to preserve the legacy of TDI, and carry out John’s wishes, operations will continue at Tactical Defense Institute through these difficult times. Our team of instructors know that John is still keeping an eye on classes from above, and we will do everything in our abilities to continue to make him proud of the organization he started with so much hard work, so many years ago.
Thank you John. Your generosity and work impacted more lives than you could ever imagine. You will be missed. -The TDI Team.