Latest News (103)
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.
@ WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY - Multipurpose Indoor Facility
5327 S. John C Lodge Service Drive
Detroit, MI 48202
9am to 3:30pm
Wayne County Sheriff’s Officer Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age
Valid Michigan Driver’s License
Possession of a High School Diploma or GED
MSCTC written and MSCTC physical abilities test
No Felony Convictions
Be a U.S. Citizen
Be qualified to obtain a Concealed Pistol License
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
4747 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48201
313-224-0641
Police Officer Applications accepted on-site
It is that time again, where the Wayne County Sheriff's Office has teamed with the Caliber Collection to bring you the biggest gun buy back event of the year.
It's simple, bring your unwanted guns, including riffles, and we'll give you a $50 gift card! Be sure to visit www.CaliberCollection.com for more detail on what the guns are transformed into; I’ll give you a hint: jewelry.
It was July 2, 2018 when Patrol Unit 714, including sergeant Wasil and officers Vago and Smith, were providing security patrol for the Lake Erie Metropark fireworks. While maneuvering through the anchored boats at approximately 10 pm, officers spotted a person in the water near the back of a lighted boat, as officers approached the boat, the people on the boat were pulling a woman out of the water. The officers then heard a faint call for help and spotted a man in the water in front of their patrol boat. Not only was the man not wearing a life jacket, there was a strong current with waves at approximately 2 feet in height. The man was going under water, then coming up for air and struggling to stay afloat. The officers brought the patrol boat alongside, and officer Smith threw a life ring with a line attached to him and man immediately grabbed on - he was pulled onto the back of the patrol boat by officers Vago and Smith. The man explained that he jumped in to help a female friend who originally jumped into the lake without a life jacket to retrieve her hat - she struggled getting back into the boat due to the strong current. Because neither one of victims wearing a life jacket, after he assisted her to a boat that witnessed them in trouble, he said he couldn't swim anymore and was just trying to stay above water while drifting away from the boat with the strong current.
The man told the officers that he believes he had been in the water for 20 minutes, and was having a difficult time staying on top of the water when officers arrived. The efforts from the officers on Patrol Unit 714 prevented a drowning that night.
The Wayne County Sheriffs Marine Unit wants to remind all boaters that if you go into the water they should be wearing a life jacket. Life jackets save lives!
On June 5, 2018, Corporal David Austin advised Wayne County Regional Dispatch that a witness reported seeing a potential dead body in the Lower Rouge River, located east of Henry Ruff and north of Michigan Avenue in the City of Westland.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was dispatched to the scene and immediately engaged in the recovery process. Upon entering the river, the Wayne County Sheriff's Marine unit discovered the victim, a deceased 31 year old white male, entrapped and partially buried in debris and what appeared to be a beaver dam and floating log jam. The victim was removed from the debris and carried to shore, where he was turned over to personnel from the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Prior to the fidnings, family members reported the victim as a missing person to the Westland Police Department on May 6th - Westland Police Department detective bureau will assume the responsibility of conducting the investigation into the cause death.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office Dive Team members who responded to the scene are: Lieutenant Matthew Gloster, Sergeant Michael Wasil, Corporal David Brownfiel, Corporal Sean White, and Corporal Timothy Chmura. These individuals are highly trained and take part in dive operations in the Great Lakes, Detroit River, and in inland waterways and lakes.
Congratulations to Class 6-18! You are now Deputies
Written by Administrator
Congratulations Class 6-18 on the completion of your Jailers Training, you are now Deputies! We thank Wayne County Community College for allowing us to celebrate our graduates and we ask the public to contact us on www.SheriffConnect.com or stop by our office at 4747 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI to fill out an application if you're interested in joining the Wayne County Sheriff's Office (WCSO).
For more information on joining, contact Director Chuck Pappas at 313-224-0641 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Pictured:
Back Row, Left to Right:
Nicholas Rohrs, Charles Peterson, Shawn Mackey, Steven Kurilla, Michael Lenear, Demarray Canty, Ricky Scott II
Middle Row, Left to Right:
Barry Fields, Warren Carithers III, Andrew Knoch, Joshua Marck, Christian Sedano, Anthony Dinuzzo, Diazunique Bush
Front Row, Left to Right:
Dana Johnson, Claire Forfinski, Ryan Rock, Kurt McLeod, Andrea Marshall, Marc Perez, Taevea Owens
May 21, 2018, AAA - The Auto Club Group, initiated its official " Bases are Loaded for a Safe Summer" kick-off news conference. Memorial Day signals the beginning of the summer travel season. It also signals a higher risk time for unsafe driving, motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. In a unified effort to help prevent traffic deaths and injuries, AAA, the Detroit Tigers and local law enforcement agencies have teamed up to promote a safer summer.
Law enforcement, AAA, and the Detroit Tigers including: Wayne County Sheriff, Benny Napoleon; Oakland County Sheriff, Michael Bouchard; Macomb County Sheriff, Lieutenant Tina Old; Detroit Police Chief, James Craig; The Auto Club Group Senior Vice President-Field Operations, Dan Schrock; The Auto Club GroupSenior Vice President-Corporate Relations, Ro Katrak; and Detroit Tigers Vice President-Park Operations, Mike Healy all gave their insight and stories of the importance of drunk and drugged driving prevention, safety belt use, teen driver safety, distracted driving prevention, safe boating, underage drinking prevention, motorcycle safety, speed limit compliance and various new programs that support summer safety.
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Wayne County Sheriff Personnel Honored At Westland Police Department
Written by Administrator
When a fire broke at Thomas Taylor Towers – Senior Living Center, responding officers from the Westland police and fire departments were forced to use the stairs to evacuate the tenants on the 9th floor, where the fire began, along with the 10th floor, because the buildings elevators were shut down; but mutual aid was requested - the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Garden City Police Department.
With a fast acting plan set in motion, the Westland firefighters evacuated individuals from the smoke filled floors and handed them off to police officers staged at the stairwells. These officers, in turn, escorted the individuals down to ground level and safety. This system proved highly effective and within minutes all residents on the 9th and 10th floors were evacuated to the ground level.
Due to answering a call for help and responding to the Westland Police Department without hesitation, Wayne County Sheriff’s Personnel: Sgt. Brian Glatfelter, Sgt. Lee Smith, Cpl. David Austin, Officer Christopher Mittlestat, and Now-Retired-Corporal David Okoney, were awarded the "Westland Police Department Certificate of Merit."
See attached pictures of personnel below.
@ MICHIGAN WORKS
43630 Hayes Rd.
Clinton Twp, MI 48038
9am to 2pm
Wayne County Sheriff’s Officer Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age
Valid Michigan Driver’s License
Possession of a High School Diploma or GED
No Felony Convictions
Be a U.S. Citizen
Be qualified to obtain a Concealed Pistol License
Must pass MCOLES written and agility test
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
4747 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48201
313-224-0641
Police Officer Applications accepted on-site
Corporal David Thomason saves a man from overdosing.
It was May 10, 2018 when Mary Ling, an apartment manager at the Pennbrook Apartments in Riverview, MI called Riverview officers after noticing 28-year-old, Paul Collins unconscious by a dog park. Corporal David Thomason, who lives in the apartment complex also spotted Collins from his third floor balcony. Corporal Thomason who also keeps a Narcan Kit in his home, administered two doses of Narcan, thus saving Collins. Collins, at the time had very shallow breathing and was beginning to turn blue when Mary Ling, Corporal David Thomason and several others were aiding him.
The actions of Corporal Thomason reflects posiviely on him as an officer and on the Wayne County Sheriff's Office as a whole. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is proud and send many thanks and compliments for the job well done.
Friday, May 11, 2018, the Quality Behavioral Health Recovery center opened its facilty with a unified ribbon cutting.
Quality Behavioral Health, Inc. (QBH) is a non-profit organization that has been providing services to those suffering with substance use disorders since 1995. QBH now has two outpatient locations in Detroit and Sterling Heights, Michigan. The agency provides treatment and support for those beginning the journey of recovery and throughout the early parts of treatment. They are also licensed by the State of Michigan and have achieved CARF accreditation for withdrawals management and residential treatment. Specialty programs also include services to those involved with the Department of Corrections. QBH has provided withdrawal management and residential services to over 36,000 individuals over the past 21 years. They provide comprehensive services to treat the whole individual by using medical, psychiatric, social and educational interventions.
For more information on the facilty, below is the contact information, and click here to visit website.
37490 Dequindre Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
7220 Gratiot
Detroit, MI 48213
Corporal Carlos Banks took action when a man collapsed from a heart attack.
On April 9, 2017, while off duty attending a sporting event at Total Sports, located in Farmington Hills, MI; Corporal Banks took an immediate response by administering CPR on the man until paramedics arrived. What stood out the most is that Corporal Banks continued to assist with life saving measures even after the Farmington Public Safety officers and paramedics were present. The patient regained a pulse and began breathing on his own, and was transported to a local hospital - the man left the hospital less than a week later with no neurological or physical deficiencies.
The Farmington Public Safety Department honored Corporal Carlos Banks with a Civilian Life Saving Award at the annual Awards and Citation Banquet on May 4, 2018.
The actions of Corporal Banks are a true compliment to the training and high standards of the men and women of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Farmington Public Safety Department is truly grateful for his heroic act.
Sheriff Joins Detroit 2020 Town Hall on "Keeping Schools Safe" Panel
Written by Administrator
The community was asked to join Chanel 7 Action News as they host a panel discussion at Fordson High School with local law enforcement, community leaders, students and educators including: Congreswoman, Debbie Dingell; Cheif, Ronald Haddad; Superintendent,Glenn Maleyko; Representative of District 15, Abdallah Hammoud; Sheriff, Benny Napoleon; Dearborn attorney and gun rights advocate, James J. Makowski; FBI assistant special agent in charge, Jeffret Downey; and US Attorney, Matthew Schneider, to speak on keeping schools safe, and what it will take to do so.
Residence gathered into the high schools auditorium to seek answers on gun violence in schools, and gave potential alternatives and solutions to security. The conversation, hosted by WXYZ's Carolyn Clifford, addressed bringing more psychologist into schools, adding onsite officers and metal detectors, and attorney, James J. Makowski suggested arming teachers.
Your thoughts? Leave them on our Facebook page.
@ Northwest Activity Center
18100 Meyers Rd.
Detroit, MI 48235
9am to 2pm
Wayne County Sheriff’s Officer Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age
Valid Michigan Driver’s License
Possession of a High School Diploma or GED
No Felony Convictions
Be a U.S. Citizen
Be qualified to obtain a Concealed Pistol License
Must pass MCOLES written and agility test
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
4747 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48201
313-224-0641
Police Officer Applications accepted on-site
