Prev
Incident
Corporal Ernest Robinson died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at Jail Division I.
Corporal Robinson had served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for 27 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Corporal Ernest M. Robinson died on January 18, 2022 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 50.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 5 at Wayne County Sheriff's Department.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmmaybqdb1absh3hfa1y- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ernest. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Ernest is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Corporal Robinson gave the Wayne County Sheriff's Office 27 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Robinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 5 of them lost to illness.
Ernest is one of 24 officers lost to illness in MI, 3.4% of the 703 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 1 officer at Wayne County Sheriff's Department was lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 2020, with 3.
In 2022, 2 officers in MI were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 9.
In 2022, 135 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2022, 140 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Ernest was 50. Of the 5 lost to illness at Wayne County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 51 and 63; the middle age was 57. Ernest had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 27 years.
Ernest was 50. Of the 24 lost to illness in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 46.8 and 61.3; the middle age was 51.5. Ernest had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 25 years.
Ernest was 50. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Ernest had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Ernest was 50. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Ernest had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
January holds 20% of these deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department; December holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 40%.
January holds 4.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 20.8%. Tuesdays: 20.8%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 35.7% of all 14 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 3.4% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
-
Charles Small Jul 6, 1857
-
Thomas Clancy May 5, 1860
-
Thomas Lee Wojtowicz Nov 12, 1968
-
Henry C. Henderson
Mar 9, 1972
-
Paul Lee Mickel
Nov 18, 1973
-
Thomas Eugene Andrews
Dec 4, 1976
-
William Dickerson
Sep 11, 1991
-
Lee Eric Smith
Aug 14, 2018
-
Donafay Collins
Mar 25, 2020
-
Dean Michael Savard
Apr 3, 2020
-
Bryant Searcy
Sep 2, 2020
-
Benny N. Napoleon
Dec 17, 2020
-
John Joseph Wojciechowski
Dec 21, 2021
-
Ernest M. Robinson
Jan 18, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Wayne County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
