Wayne County Sheriff Dies After Battling Coronavirus

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — Wayne County and Michigan officials on Thursday took to social media to pay their respects to Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon. Napoleon died Thursday after battling the coronavirus for about a month. He was 65.

In a bevy of tweets, Facebook posts and written statements, officials described Napoleon as a respected law enforcement official, but also as a kind-hearted man with loyalty and kindness.

In a statement Thursday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was "heartbroken at the news of my dear friend Benny’s passing."

"Sheriff Napoleon’s love for the people he served was returned many times over," Whitmer said. "His Quick Laugh, eager partnership, and candid counsel is what I will miss most. He was a truly special person. Sharon, Tiffani and his whole family are in my prayers.”

Michigan's Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said losing Napoleon is "a tremendous loss for the city of Detroit, Wayne County, and the entire state of Michigan."

“Benny was a pillar in the community — a model public servant who lead by example through conscientious words and selfless service," Gilchrist said in a statement. "All throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheriff Napoleon stood tall on the front lines alongside members of his department to ensure that our community had what it needed to get through this crisis together. He was a progressive ally and champion for changing the justice system to better serve society. And he offered himself as a mentor at every opportunity, so that young leaders, like myself, can be, believe in, and become our greatest selves.

"Benny’s loss hits hard in the soul of so many people in southeast Michigan who had a chance to connect with him over his decades of service, and his legacy leaves our lives better because of his presence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest in power.”

Napoleon first reported that he had tested positive for the coronavirus Nov. 19 in a post on his Facebook page.

On Nov. 20, Napoleon's daughter, Tiffani Jackson, posted that her father had been admitted to a local hospital.

Napoleon had tested negative for the coronavirus on Nov. 13, according to The Detroit News, but began seeing increased symptoms on Nov. 17. Another test, given Nov. 19, resulted in a positive result.

Napoleon had been placed on a ventilator Nov. 30, but Jackson continued to say her father was doing well.

Napoleon's death Thursday came about an hour after Jackson said on Facebook that her father had not died and that reports of his death were just rumors.

"I continue to enlist the prayers of my father’s friends, supporters and all who love him," Jackson said on Facebook. "Any rumors that have recently been spread are false. It is my hope that those spreading such rumors would cease and respect our family at such a sensitive time. We know that God has been hearing us thus far and we expect nothing less."

However, Jackson later confirmed to multiple media outlets that the sheriff had died.

Napoleon had been Wayne County's sheriff since 2009. Prior to that, he had served as the county's assistant executive and as the chief of police in Detroit. Napoleon ran unsuccessfully for the role of Detroit's mayor in 2013, losing to Mike Duggan.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy was one of the first local officials to offer a statement on Napoleon's death, saying she "cannot even begin to imagine a world without Benny in it."

“He was a beloved, iconic, and respected law enforcement official," she said. "He was progressive and he was old school. He was tough and he had a heart of gold. But most of all, he was a genuine, caring, and loyal friend and colleague. I will miss him forever.”

Other officials from across the state took to social media to pay their respects to Napoleon shortly after his death.

Michael Bouchard, the sheriff of Wayne County's neighboring Oakland County, said he was at a loss for words when finding out about Napoleon's death.

“Benny led the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office with professionalism and provided excellent leadership for his agency," Bouchard said. "I was privileged to work with him on policy issues at both the state and federal level that made a difference for law enforcement across the country. It was comforting to know that our county partner to the south was always a phone call away and Benny always stepped up if we needed assistance.

"My heart goes out to his family and the men and women of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office during this difficult time. Sheriff Napoleon will be deeply missed and I am saddened to lose a close member of my law enforcement family.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said her heart goes out to Napoleon and his family.

"I have long admired his work at the department and was honored to have an opportunity to partner with him as a colleague," she said. "Benny was beloved by so many in the Wayne County community and around the state. We enjoyed a close relationship since the time I took office, including working feverishly together last spring to bring much-needed PPE to his department to protect his deputies, who he cared so deeply for. I could always count on Benny for his support, his input and his cooperation.

"He was a wonderful man and his passing is a loss not only for his family but also for his many friends and co-workers. Benny had so much life yet to live; our community has once again lost someone larger than life to this vicious pandemic."

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she was "grateful for his grace, kindness and steadfast commitment to serving and protecting the citizens of Wayne County and the City of Detroit."

Michigan State Police officials said the coronavirus is "such a horrible disease that has taken so many good people from their friends and family."

Duggan said Napoleon "loved Detroit as much as anyone I've ever known."

"I cannot think of a leader in this town who has been more loved and admired than Benny," he said. "He was born in the city, served our community courageously his entire adult life, and loved Detroit as much as anyone I’ve ever known."

In Dearborn, police chief Ronald Haddad issued a statement on behalf of himself and the department.

"Benny always had a way of making us just a little bit better," he said.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said losing Napoleon's death is "a hard one for our Wayne County community.

"He had a big heart just like his smile. I pray for his children and family during this difficult time," she said.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.