In a heartfelt tribute to the life and times of the late Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon, more than 200 city and county officials, community leaders, family, and friends were on hand to witness the secondary street naming in honor of the longtime public servant.
Held Saturday afternoon, June 15, on Oakman Boulevard at Littlefield Street on the city’s west side, a who’s who of city and county officials were in attendance, including Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd A. Bettison, Police Chief James E. White, City Council President Mary Sheffield, and council members Fred Durhal and Coleman A. Young II. County officials included Wayne County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett, Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell, Wayne County Commissioner Martha G. Scott, and Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington.
In many ways, the street naming ceremony was rooted in emotional speeches and fond remembrances of Napoleon by an array of individuals. 
“This is a marvelous, marvelous occasion,” said Bell. “It’s wonderful to have so many people here as we celebrate our beloved Benny Napoleon with this secondary street naming. It is an honor that Oakman Blvd. will now be called Benny Napoleon Blvd. forever. Thank you, City Council members, for your vision to do this because it is an amazing tribute to Benny Napoleon and his incredible legacy.”
“This is the least that the City can do for such an important person who has touched so many people,” Sheffield said, adding how Napoleon inspired her to find her career footing as a public servant. “This new street sign will always be a reminder of what true leadership is, what compassion is, and about Benny Napoleon’s unwavering faithfulness and fight for a better and safer city and county. He served with compassion and showed that leadership has a heart. He not only embodied public service, but he was truly inspirational. And, we don’t have a lot of inspirational leaders, but Benny was one of them.”
The legend of Napoleon’s leadership can be traced to 1975 when he graduated from the Detroit Police Department (DPD) Academy at 19 years old. Over the ensuing years, Napoleon rose through the ranks with distinction, holding the positions of patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, inspector, commander, deputy chief, assistant chief, and chief of police. A proponent of education, Napoleon earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1982 from Mercy College of Detroit and his Juris Doctor degree from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in 1986.
In 2004, Napoleon began a five-year stint as Wayne County Executive. In 2009, he was appointed Wayne County Sheriff. Following the appointment, Napoleon remained the county’s top law enforcement officer through landslide victories in elections over the next decade.
During his tenure as Detroit Police Chief and later Wayne County Sheriff, Napoleon was known for his innovative approach to community policing. His style of building trust and collaborative efforts between law enforcement entities and residents earned praise locally, regionally, and nationally.
On December 17, 2020, Napoleon succumbed to the COVID-19 virus. He was 65.
“He was a shining example of heroism,” Young said at the ceremony. “However, heroes are remembered, but legends never die. And this street sign above us today is a real sign that Benny Napoleon’s legend will endure for eternity.”
Napoleon’s successor, Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington, agreed.
“I count it an honor, as well as a privilege, to be here today to say a few words about my man Benny Napoleon,” said Washington. “Benny meant the world to me. He taught me how to serve the people because, in law enforcement, that’s what we do – protect and serve. I am just so honored to have been chosen to succeed him and carry on his legacy. And this street sign with the name Benny Napoleon will help carry on his great legacy.”
The legacy of Benny Napoleon is also continuing in numerous ways, including through the work of the Benny N. Napoleon Foundation for Community Advancement, created in 2021 by Tiffani Jackson, Napoleon’s only child. Jackson, perched on a ladder, had the honor of removing the black cover to reveal the new blue street sign bearing the name “Benny Napoleon” above the Oakman Blvd. signage.
“I appreciate all who showed up this afternoon,” Jackson said as the final speaker. “It’s hot, and it’s Father’s Day weekend, so for you to come out and sit in the sun for this sign ceremony is truly appreciated. However, I want you to know that my father’s work of over four decades of giving back to the community is continuing through the Benny N. Napoleon Foundation for Community Advancement. We want to keep his legacy of giving back to empowering people and communities going because my father really did have a servant’s heart.”
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Donald James
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