
Benny Napoleon, the former sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan, was hospitalized in November 2020 after contracting COVID-19. He was placed on a ventilator to assist with his breathing and, unfortunately, passed away on December 18, 2020, at the age of 65. Napoleon dedicated his life to public service and was a well-respected figure in Detroit. So, while he may no longer be in the hospital, his legacy and impact on the community continue to be remembered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Benny Napoleon |
| Profession | Sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan |
| Date of Death | December 18, 2020 |
| Age | 65 |
| Place of Death | Henry Ford Hospital |
| Cause of Death | Complications from COVID-19 |
| Hospitalization Duration | More than a week |
| Ventilator Usage | Placed on ventilator on November 27 |
| Family | Daughter: Tiffani Jackson, Mother, 4 Siblings |
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What You'll Learn

Benny Napoleon's death
Benny Napoleon, the sheriff of Wayne County in Michigan, died on Thursday, December 17, 2020, following a month-long fight with COVID-19. He was 65. Napoleon was surrounded by family when he breathed his last at Henry Ford Hospital.
Napoleon announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 on November 19, 2020. He had taken a test on November 13, which returned a negative result. However, he underwent another test on November 17 after experiencing a slight headache and light chills. On November 27, he was placed on a ventilator.
Napoleon's daughter, Tiffani Jackson, thanked the community for their prayers and support during her father's illness and hospitalisation. She asked that they continue to remember his dedication to public service, his generosity, integrity, and faithfulness as a public servant for over 45 years.
Wayne County Undersheriff Daniel Pfannes, at a prayer vigil during Napoleon's illness, described him as "a man that took every precaution possible and it (the virus) still found him." The Wayne County Sheriff's Office directed media questions to the family following his passing.
Napoleon dedicated his life to public service and became a household name to metro Detroiters. He spent most of his career at the Detroit Police Department, working his way up to police chief in 1998. He retired from the department in 2001 and became the Wayne County assistant executive in 2004. Napoleon was appointed sheriff of Wayne County in 2009 and was subsequently elected and re-elected to the position in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
Napoleon is survived by his daughter, Tiffani Jackson, his 84-year-old mother, and his four siblings.
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His time as Wayne County Sheriff
Benny Napoleon dedicated over 45 years of his life to public service. He was appointed Wayne County Sheriff in 2009 and was re-elected in 2012 and 2020.
Napoleon spent most of his career at the Detroit Police Department, starting in 1975. He worked his way up to police chief, assuming the position in 1998. He retired from the Detroit Police Department in 2001 and became the Wayne County assistant executive in 2004.
In 2013, Napoleon ran for mayor, losing to the current mayor, Mike Duggan, by about 10 percentage points. During his time as Wayne County Sheriff, Napoleon was known for his generosity, integrity, and faithfulness as a public servant. He was also criticised for his unusual use of campaign donations, spending more on meals and travelling than any other sheriff in the region. He defended his spending, saying it was better to use donors' money than tax dollars.
Napoleon was a household name to metro Detroiters and was beloved by the people of Wayne County. Following his death, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said: "He was a change-maker because he was so extremely proud of Detroit".
Napoleon died on Thursday, December 17, 2020, following a month-long fight with COVID-19. He was 65 years old and was survived by his daughter, Tiffani Jackson, his 84-year-old mother, and his four siblings.
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His battle with COVID-19
Benny Napoleon, the sheriff of Wayne County in Michigan, fought a month-long battle with COVID-19. On November 13, 2020, he tested negative for the virus. However, on November 17, he underwent another test after experiencing a slight headache and light chills. This time, the test came back positive.
The following day, his symptoms worsened, and he was admitted to the hospital. On November 27, doctors placed him on a ventilator to assist with slowing his breathing and allowing his body to rest and heal. Napoleon's daughter, Tiffani Jackson, assured the public that her father was still able to breathe on his own and that he played an active role in the decision to be placed on a ventilator. She expressed gratitude for the community's prayers and support, stating that their prayers were working.
On December 13, the family provided an encouraging update on the sheriff's Facebook page, stating that he was improving. Unfortunately, despite the initial signs of progress, Napoleon succumbed to the disease on December 18, 2020, at the age of 65. He passed away at Henry Ford Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Napoleon dedicated over 45 years of his life to public service and was a well-respected figure in the community. His passing left a profound impact, with many remembering his generosity, integrity, and dedication to his role as a public servant.
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His family's response
Benny Napoleon's daughter, Tiffani Jackson, was a key spokesperson for the family during his illness. She thanked the community for their prayers and asked that they continue, saying:
> "Remember his generosity, integrity and faithfulness as a public servant for over 45 years. Remember how kind he was to everyone he came in contact with and how much he loved his family."
Jackson also added that she and her family were not hopeless, saying:
> "We still have hope in the ultimate physician; Jesus. This is not the end! Our God's Word cannot return void."
She also provided updates on her father's condition, explaining that he was still able to breathe on his own, but that the ventilator would help him save energy to fight the virus. She also shared that he was alert and played a role in the decision to be placed on a ventilator.
The family gathered with the community outside the Wayne County Sheriff's Department for a vigil, where they prayed for Napoleon's recovery. They also posted updates on his condition to his Facebook page, sharing that he was improving as of December 13.
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The community's reaction
Napoleon's daughter, Tiffani Jackson, expressed gratitude for the community's support and prayers, saying, "I appreciate it... I feel your prayers. They are working." She also asked the community to continue praying for her father and to remember his dedication to public service, his generosity, integrity, and faithfulness as a public servant for over 45 years.
The Wayne County Undersheriff, Daniel Pfannes, also acknowledged Napoleon's dedication to public service and the impact of his loss on the community, stating, "The people of Wayne County have suffered a terrible loss with tonight's passing of Sheriff Benny Napoleon... Chief Napoleon, you will be missed but never forgotten."
The outpouring of support and memories from officials and community members alike highlighted the respect and admiration Napoleon had earned during his decades of service. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, for example, remembered her "dear friend" in a post on Twitter.
Overall, the community's reaction to Benny Napoleon's hospitalisation and subsequent passing reflected the deep appreciation and admiration felt for a man who had dedicated his life to serving the people of Wayne County.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Benny Napoleon passed away on December 18, 2020, at Henry Ford Hospital.
Benny Napoleon, the sheriff of Wayne County in Michigan, was admitted to the hospital for COVID-19.
No, Benny Napoleon passed away following a month-long fight with COVID-19.
Benny Napoleon first experienced a slight headache and light chills. His symptoms progressed, and he was admitted to the hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator to assist with his breathing.




















