A surveillance photo of a black Buick Enclave — the same type identified as the suspect vehicle in a hit-and-run accident that killed a Wayne County Sheriff's deputy — has been released by the Westland Police Department. Officers investigating the Aug. 14 crash that killed Sgt. Lee Smith, who was off-duty and jogging along Hines Drive, located the photo after checking surveillance videos from local businesses. The vehicle, described as having chrome door handles, rims and a luggage rack, was in the area at the time of the accident, about 10:30 a.m. According to police, the vehicle shown in the surveillance photos also had front end damage of the type consistent with the crash that killed Smith, a Redford resident and 26-year veteran of the sheriff's department. The vehicle was seen in the area of Hines Drive and also on Telegraph, near Warren and Ford roads. This vehicle may have traveled southbound on Telegraph from Warren Road, according to police. Anyone who recognizes the vehicle is asked to contact the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600. "We also appreciate the assistance from any local business that may have surveillance video capturing this particular vehicle in that area during that time," Westland Police Sgt. Robert Wilke said. Remembered as someone who religiously exercised, Lee was jogging along Hines Drive, near Inkster Road, when he was struck by a vehicle that didn't stop. Police described the vehicle as crossing the center line and traveling off the far side of the road to strike Lee. More:Novi woman's stabbing death ruled homicide; charges expected against her boyfriend More: Novi woman's stabbing death ruled homicide; charges expected against her boyfriend Lee began his career with the sheriff's office in July 1992. He worked numerous jobs both in and out of the jails, then was assigned to the road patrol in 2000. Lee became involved with the mounted unit in 2004. He was also longstanding member of the Special Response Team, which he joined 1999. Upon his promotion to sergeant in May 2009, Lee was assigned to the road patrol. A few months later, he transferred to the park patrol, where he has served ever since. A graduate of Detroit Mumford High School, Lee earned an associat'se degree from Wayne County Community College in 2002. Due to his excellent grades, Lee had become a member of the Phi Theta Kappa society. Lee was a department instructor in disciplines, including 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," Undersheriff Daniel Pfannes said in a statement sent by the sheriff's department staff. Retired sheriff's department Cmdr. Paul Jones was Smith's supervisor and recalled that he ran and worked out religiously, "He was an outstanding officer and better man. He was dedicated to the department and its officers. He played a role in so many of our careers because he was active in the training unit," Jones commented via Facebook Messenger. "He was a motor officer and a part of the mounted unit. He was generous with his time and always ready to help others. Great guy. Major loss to the sheriff’s office." Contact LeAnne Rogers at lrogers@hometownlife.com or 734-883-9039. Follow her on Twitter: @LRogersObserver.<doc-sep>Westland police have released images of the black SUV they believe fatally struck an off-duty Wayne County sheriff sergeant Tuesday on Hines Drive and are asking for the public's help in identifying and locating its driver. Lee Smith, 55, was jogging on the side of the road when he was hit by what Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said appeared to be a black Buick Enclave with chrome trim and door handles and a chrome luggage rack, and dragged Smith for some distance. The surveillance photos show the vehicle with damage to the front end. Smith worked in road patrol for the county and enjoyed leading the mounted unit, Napoleon said. Smith had just turned in retirement papers Friday and was to end his duty on Oct. 1. The incident took place at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday on Hines Drive, west of Middle Belt. Police say the Buick Enclave was spotted both in the area of Hines Drive and on Telegraph between Warren and Ford roads, and "may have traveled" south on Telegraph. Police ask that anyone with information to call (734) 467-3178. Crime Stoppers of Michigan is offering a $2,500 reward; tipsters who prefer anonymity can call 800-SPEAK-UP. Authorities have also requested that the suspect turn himself or herself in. "Us finding them, versus them turning themselves in, is a totally different scenario," Napoleon said. "Trust me, we're going to find you."<doc-sep>The Wayne County Sheriff's Office says a suspect in the fatal hit-and-run of an off-duty sergeant has been caught. Westland police arrested a 47-year-old Detroit man suspected in the death of Lee Smith on Tuesday and recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crash, officials said Thursday morning at a news conference at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office headquarters on Woodward. The arrest was made about 5 a.m. in Garden City, said Westland police Chief Jeff Jedrusik. The arrest was made before Smith’s funeral, which had been a priority to investigators. An hour later, police recovered the black 2012 Buick Enclave allegedly driven during the crash in Inkster on Inkster Road and Michigan Avenue. Smith was jogging westbound in the road on Hines Drive, between Inkster Road and Middle Belt, when he was hit by an eastbound vehicle that crossed the center line. The driver never stopped; police launched a local manhunt. Sheriff Benny Napoleon said “30 to 40 people” from the Sheriff’s Office and Westland police ran down tips and scoured “hours and hours” of surveillance video, from dozens of locations before an arrest was made. “We tracked the vehicle from spot to spot to spot,” Napoleon said. “Yesterday, I said the net was closing in. Today, it closed.” But it was a tip that led to Thursday’s arrest, which came hours after the reward for information jumped to $15,000. It had started out at $2,500. Napoleon said a “tremendous amount of help” from the business community in boosting the reward and from the general public in providing tips and leads, along with the “collective resources” of law enforcement, led to the arrest. “Without question, Westland Police Department has done an extraordinary, extraordinary job in this investigation,” Napoleon said. Westland police expect to seek charges against the suspect on Friday, Jedrusik said. Napoleon declined to speculate whether Smith was targeted or the crash was the result of distracted or impaired driving. Napoleon the tipster deserved the $15,000 reward. Crime Stoppers of Michigan will make that decision. Jedrusik said he hadn’t personally seen the recovered vehicle yet, but he understood it was damaged. An image of the suspected vehicle showed damage to the vehicle’s hood. Smith’s widow was notified of the arrest at 7 a.m. Smith’s funeral was expected to take place next Thursday, Napoleon said, but that’s “tentative.” An area funeral home had volunteered to cover the service, Napoleon said. Authorities are scheduled to provide more details at a press conference Thursday at its Woodward Ave. headquarters, an official confirmed. At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Lee Smith was jogging on the side of Hines Drive, between Inkster Road and Middle Belt in Westland, when he was fatally struck by what police described as a small black SUV. Smith, 55, was a 25-year veteran of the sheriff's office and had just given notice that he would be retiring on Oct. 1. He worked road patrol and with the mounted unit.<doc-sep>
Sgt. Lee Smith has been identified as the off-duty Wayne County Sheriff's deputy killed by a hit-and-run driver Tuesday morning as he jogged in Hines Park. The Westland Police Department is looking for the driver responsible for striking Smith about 10:30 a.m. as he jogged on Hines Drive in an area described as being between Inkster Road and Merriman. The sheriff's department described an accident location at Hines near Middlebelt. Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a small black SUV with round headlights. It would likely have front end and hood damage sustained in the collision. After the crash, the vehicle was reported to have continued driving eastbound on Hines Drive. A witness reported following the vehicle for a time before losing sight of it. A 26-year veteran of the sheriff's department, Smith had filed paperwork to retire shortly. A Redford resident, he is survived by a wife and an adult son. Back in May, Smith was among officers who received a certificate of merit from the Westland Police Department honoring his efforts evacuating residents during a fire at the Taylor Towers senior citizen apartments. More:Boy, 14, hospitalized after falling into Rouge from railroad bridge in Hines Park More:Investigation continues into fatal Bloomfield Township vehicle crash "We've lost a hero," Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said. Retired sheriff's department Cmdr. Paul Jones was Smith's supervisor and recalled that he ran and worked out religiously, "He was an outstanding officer and better man. He was dedicated to the department and its officers. He played a role in so many of our careers because he was active in the training unit," Jones commented via Facebook Messenger. "He was a motor officer and a part of the mounted unit. He was generous with his time and always ready to help others. Great guy. Major loss to the sheriff’s office." Wayne County Executive Warren Evans issued a statement and commented that he was shocked and saddened to hear of Smith's death. “Sgt. Smith was a 26-year veteran of the sheriff's department, and he was just six months away from retirement," Evans said in his statement. "He was truly one of our best and an inspiration to all who knew him. My sincere condolences go out to his family for this very sudden and painful loss.” Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the fatal hit and run. Anyone with information regarding the suspect vehicle or driver is asked to contact either Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP or the Westland Police Detective Bureau at 734-721-6311. Staff Writer Matt Jachman contributed to this story. Contact LeAnne Rogers at lrogers@hometownlife.com or 734-883-9039. Follow her on Twitter: @LRogersObserver.