Tributes poured in from across the region after the death Thursday of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon amid his battle with COVID-19.
From the governor s office in Lansing to Oakland and Macomb counties, civic leaders and politicians expressed sorrow over his loss, with one police agency calling out the horrible disease that has taken that has taken so many good people. Others remembered him as a figure of strength in fighting on the frontlines of COVID-19.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said: “I cannot even begin to imagine a world without Benny in it. He was a beloved, iconic, and respected law enforcement official, said Worthy. 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.”
Head of Detroit NAACP Rev. Wendell Anthony reacts to death of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon
Beloved sheriff dies after monthlong battle with COVID-19
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See what Reverend Anthony had to say in the video interview above.
On Thursday, Dec. 17, Sheriff Napoleon died after a monthlong battle with a COVID-19 infection. He was 65 years old.
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Gov. Whitmer gives emotional tribute to Wayne Co. Sheriff Benny Napoleon after his passing from COVID-19
Carlos Osorio/AP
Detroit mayor candidate Benny Napoleon is applauded as he arrives to give his concession speech during an election night watch party in Detroit, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013. Unofficial returns showed Mike Duggan leading Napoleon 55 percent to 45 percent with 99 percent of precincts reporting. (AP PhotoCarlos Osorio)
Posted at 2:19 PM, Dec 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-18 14:36:23-05
DETROIT (WXYZ) â During a news conference to provide COVID-19 updates in Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave an emotional tribute following the passing of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.
Catherine Gaughan, a nurse with Wayne State University, preps Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleonâs arm prior to drawing blood for the COVID-19 antibody test. The antibody test will identify only if the person has been previously exposed to the virus giving the body the ability to build up antibodies to fight the infection. Gaughan said that adults in their late 50s and the elderly are most susceptible to the virus right now. People with many medical conditions as well as high blood pressure, and COPD are also more susceptible to the virus.
Michael Kuentz â For MediaNews Group
(Milwaukee, WI December 18, 2020) Sheriff
Earnell R. Lucas issued the following statement on the passing of Wayne County Sheriff
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon. A native of Detroit, Benny was known to all as a kind, intelligent and compassionate leader. A towering figure, yet humble spirit, Benny was as comfortable in the presence of the underserved and underprivileged as he was in the presence of the powerful and privileged. I met Benny shortly after becoming sheriff and our fondness and affection for one another took off immediately. He spent countless hours sharing with me the rigors of being sheriff, yet he also shared with me what an honor and privilege it is to serve the people of Wayne County. We last spoke, about security measures, in the days leading up to the November elections. I called and sent him a text two weeks later asking him if he would be on the Major County Sheriffs of America regio