Sheriff Connect

Another one bites the dust! Our Police Operations Division did a great job on this investigation. We were successful in taking down a drug house and the known drug dealer! The Wayne County Sheriff's Ofiice is not going to tolerate this in Wayne county.

On September 27, Sheriff Napoleon was joined by executive staff and command in the promotion of 8 year veteran, Autris Shelby from deputy to sergeant. Sgt. Shelby is a graduate of Ferris State University, holding both an undergraduate and graduate degree in criminal justice administration. Prior to join the sheriff's office, Sgt. Shelby worked as a foster care worker for "Family Independence Agency." Here, he assured services to families whose children have been removed from their homes due to child abuse and/or neglect. Sgt. Shelby also worked as a fraud investigator in Oakland County, MI. Sgt. Autris Shelby was joined by family including his wife, Joshelle Shelby, and their son, Joshua, 10.

Sheriff Napoleon also promoted Sheila Maxell-Stallings from the tether unit to back-ground investigation; Deputy Craig W. Schwartz was brought in as deputy sheriff, where for over 39 years of law enforcement experience, most recently he served as Assistant Chief of Police for the Detroit Public Schools Police Department.  He has previously served in the Detroit Police Department, where he served in all ranks from Police Officer through Deputy Chief and commanded the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Homeland Security Bureau, Major Crimes Division, Homicide Section and the Headquarters Surveillance Unit.  Deputy Schwartz retired from the Detroit Police Department in 2007 and subsequently established the Huron Potawatomi Police Department, the first police agency for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi in Ahtens, Michigan, providing police services to the Tribe, as well as the Village of Athens.  In addition, he has served with the Plymouth and the Grosse Pointe Park Police Departments.  Deputy Schwartz is a 2004 graduate of the FBI National Academy and came to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in August 2018.  Kevin Bennett, who began his career in law enforcement in 1991 and by 1993 became a deputy for the Wayne County Sheriff  Department, was hired in as a part-time court officer. Bennett has an associates, and both a bachelors and masters in criminal justice.

We here at the WCSO are proud of all our new promotes, and hires, and look forward to servicing Wayne County.

For more information on how you can join the WCSO please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thanks to Sheriff Benny Napoleon, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team engaged in extensive training in the Straights of Mackinaw.  The three days of training involved diver participation in scenarios focused on deep diving, wreck diving, boat diving, underwater scene documentation, and the deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) in underwater operations.

            The training exercises were specifically designed to concentrate on team building, cooperation and coordination amongst the divers as well as to reinforce specific operational necessities associated with pre-dive safety checks, proper diving etiquette, storage of dive gear, personal conduct, entry and exit procedures, dive signals, communications, use of lights, redundant air supplies, and diver emergency management.  The three days of training involved diver participation in scenarios focused on deep diving, wreck diving, boat diving, underwater scene documentation, and the deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) in underwater operations.The diver emergency management component involved training in diver injury recognition and emergency oxygen provision.

            The team conducted dives on three different shipwrecks, all of which allowed for the divers to conduct hull penetrations.  The ships included the:

1. Cedarville:   a 600 ft. steel freighter that sank in 1965. It’s the third largest shipwrecked freighter on the Great Lakes.
2. Sandusky:   a 141 ft. wooden schooner that sank in 1871
3. Barnum :     a 200 ft. wooden steamer that sank in 1894

All of the goals and objectives established for the training were met.  In addition, each of the participating divers achieved Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) Neurological Assessment and DANEmergency Oxygen Provider certification.

Dive Team Members:

Lt. Matthew Gloster, Sgt. Mike Wasil, Sgt. Mike Roehrig, Cpl. John Brownfiel, Cpl. Adam Trimble, Cpl. Mike Babe, Cpl. Paul Seals, Cpl. Sean White, Cpl. Tim Chumara, and Cpl. Mark Schmidt

Arrangements for Sgt. Lee Smith:

PUBLIC VISITATION
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
at Swanson Funeral Home
14751 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48235
313-272-9000

Let us congratulate Class 8-18! Here are Wayne County Sheriff's new deputies! Be sure to apply today to become a deputy! Ages 18+ NO AGE LIMIT!

Stop by the office: 4747 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48201 to fill out an application or email, Director Pappas: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is extremely saddened to announce the passing of Sergeant Lee Smith today.   Lee had been jogging on Edward Hines Drive, in the City of Westland, at approximately 10am, when he was fatally struck by a vehicle that had driven left of center and onto the shoulder of the road on which Lee was running.  Lee succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.

The vehicle that struck Lee failed to stop at the scene and fled the area.  The Westland Police Department is investigating the fatal crash and the criminal offense related to the suspect vehicle’s driver fleeing the scene.  Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information leading to the capture of the driver.

Lee began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in July of 1992.  Lee worked numerous jobs both in and out of the Jails.  He was first assigned to the Road Patrol in 2000 and began his involvement with the Mounted Unit in 2004.  He was a long standing member of the Special Response Team, where he became a member in 1999.  Upon his promotion to Sergeant in May 2009, Lee was assigned to the Road Patrol. He transferred to the Park Patrol, where he has served ever since, a few months later.

Lee is a graduate of Mumford High School, in Detroit, and a graduate of Wayne County Community College, where he reserved an Associate’s Degree in 2002.  In 2000, he became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Society as a result of his excellent grades.

Lee was a highly trained officer and he developed the skill sets necessary to become a department instructor in the following disciplines:  Mounted Officer, PPCT Defensive Tactics, Defensive Driving, Pistol, Shotgun, and Patrol Rifle.  He was a trained firearms armorer capable of working on Sig Sauer and Glock products.  Lee was also an accomplished horseman and motorcycle rider. 

Lee is survived by his wife and his 28 year old son.  His passing will deeply affect this agency.  We have lost a highly trained and well respected officer.  He will be sorely missed.  Each of us will respond differently to Lee’s passing.  For those that feel they may derive a benefit from counseling, please contact the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-847-7240.

Information as to viewing and funeral arrangements will be shared as they become known.  Please keep Lee’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.