News Summary
The estate of Jamie Fields, a retired Detroit Police Deputy Chief, is in limbo following the deaths of key individuals, with over $1 million in assets and no beneficiaries. Fields was known for his dedication to restoring pensions for Detroit police officers. His estate’s management is now in question after the passing of his attorney, with potential unclaimed assets at risk of escheating to the state. Concerns arise over Fields’ legacy and the lack of communication regarding the estate’s progress.
Detroit – The estate of retired Detroit Police Deputy Chief Jamie Fields remains unresolved following the recent death of his attorney, leaving no beneficiaries to claim his significant assets. Fields, who passed away at the age of 69 in 2023, was notable for fighting on behalf of over 100 Detroit police employees seeking to restore their pension plans after the city’s bankruptcy in 2013-2014.
Fields left behind more than $1 million in assets, as confirmed by his close friend and former colleague, Jeff Romeo. His legal claims were ultimately rejected by the Michigan Court of Appeals. Additionally, Fields battled ataxia, a debilitating neurological illness, prior to his passing.
After retiring in 2013, Fields continued to advocate for the interests of Detroit police officers, emphasizing his commitment to public service and the welfare of his peers in the force. His legal work in pension restoration marked a significant part of his post-retirement efforts. However, with Fields’ death, the management of his estate transferred to probate attorney Timothy Doty, who also passed away in 2023.
The lack of surviving beneficiaries has left Fields’ estate in a precarious situation within the Wayne County Probate Court system. Since neither Jamie Fields nor his wife, Lydie Fields, who died in 2020, left behind any heirs, their final affairs remain unaddressed. Both Jamie and Lydie Fields are laid to rest in adjacent plots at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale without headstones, and there are numerous other unmarked graves at the cemetery.
Romeo has expressed concern over the lack of communication from the probate court regarding the status of the estate. Efforts to reach officials have not yielded any responses, which has intensified worries about the future of Fields’ assets. According to Milton Mack, a retired Wayne County Probate judge, the next steps could involve notifying a public administrator to take charge of the estate. If the court is unable to identify a valid beneficiary, the substantial funds could ultimately escheat to the state of Michigan that would hold them until someone makes a claim.
The potential unclaimed assets might sit with the Michigan Department of Treasury, preventing Fields’ legacy and contributions from being recognized properly. Romeo is particularly concerned that, given Fields’ advocacy for police officers’ rights, he deserves a gravestone that would honor his memory appropriately.
Jamie Fields’ professional legacy is marked not only by his tenure with the Detroit Police Department but also by his tireless work on behalf of officers seeking to secure their pensions during challenging economic times for the city. The ongoing situation with his estate represents a significant oversight in honoring his life’s work and contributions to the welfare of his fellow officers.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News: Jamie Fields Estate Issues
- WXYZ: Driver Plows into Headstones
- Bridge Detroit: East Side Headstones
- Google Search: Headstones in Detroit
- CBS News: Macomb Township Gravestones
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Graves
