Local, state, federal leaders react to death of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon Sheriff died Thursday from complications due to COVID-19, family confirms Updated: Tags: Several local, state and federal leaders have issued the following statements in response to Napoleon’s death. READ: “I cannot even begin to imagine a world without Benny in it. He was a beloved, iconic, and respected law enforcement official. 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.”