Mike Jaafar promoted to Wayne County undersheriff, first Arab American to hold position Posted: Friday 05.07.2021 10:54 am
DETROIT Dearborn native and Fordson High School alum Mike Jaafar was promoted to undersheriff of Wayne County, making him second in command and the first Arab American to be appointed to this position.
In his new role, Jaafar will be overseeing both the jails and law enforcement and will be second in command under Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Ray Washington.
Jaafar, 46, is the father of five and has a long history in law enforcement, having become an officer with the Detroit Police Department in 1994.
Wayne County deputy chief appointed as sheriff, replacing beloved late Benny Napoleon
Late sheriff died due to complications with COVID-19 after being reelected in 2020
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DETROIT – Wayne County Deputy Chief Raphael Washington has been appointed as the county’s new sheriff, replacing the beloved late Sheriff Benny Napoleon.
On Friday, Washington was selected by a three-person panel consisting of Chief Judge Freddie Burton, County Clerk Cathy Garrett and Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Washington’s appointment will last through to the 2022 special primary and general elections. According to county officials, Washington must file to run in those elections.
The sheriff position became vacant after Napoleon died on Dec. 17 due to complications with COVID-19. Napoleon was reelected in 2020, with his new term slated to begin on Jan. 1.