Deputy Marcus Donnez Champion

Deputy Marcus Donnez Champion entered eternal rest on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Excelsior Springs Hospital in Excelsior Springs, MO. He was born on April 4, 1988 and is the son of Sandra Champion Jones and Tyrone A. Jones. He grew up in Kansas City, MO and graduated from Hickman Mills High School in 2006.  Deputy Champion was determined to pursue a career in law enforcement. He worked in the field of security and later attended the Blue River Metropolitan Community College Institute of Public Safety.

Deputy Champion began his career with Jackson County, MO as a Corrections Officer from 2009 to 2011. In 2016, Deputy Champion became a police officer on the Nevada, MO Police Department, where he immediately impacted the community. Deputy Champion was named Peace Officer of the Year in 2017, by the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and the Nevada Housing Authority.  He was also recognized with the Special Achievement by a Peace Officer award in 2017, by the Southwest NAHRO.

In 2019, Deputy Champion was hired by the Excelsior Springs Police Department in Excelsior Springs, MO. He was passionate about law enforcement and serving the community, and always learning and volunteering for extra duties. He achieved his ultimate career goal when he became a deputy and a valued member of the Jackson County, MO Sheriff’s Office in April of 2022.

During his short time with the Sherriff’s Office, Deputy Champion worked in the Patrol and Judicial Services Divisions where he most recently worked at the Albert Riederer Criminal Justice Complex at 1315 Locust in Kansas City. Deputy Champion also enjoyed spending many hours working the Connections Program, where he provided security for court ordered child visitation. Deputy Champion served as a volunteer fire fighter with the Wood Heights, MO Fire Department, and drove limousines with Prestige Transportation and Overland Chauffeured Services.

Deputy Champion committed his life to Christ in 2006 when he was baptized by Pastor Victor L. Lee and joined the Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He was active in the church and served in the choir and on the youth usher board.

Deputy Champion had a passion for life, he loved his family, and he was a compassionate friend to many. He was courageous, fearless and would try anything at least once. Deputy Champion is described as having an infectious laugh and sense of humor. One example is when he shared that he lost a donut eating contest adding he was ashamed to be a cop at that point.

Champion’s hobbies included traveling, flying, gaming, and riding his motorcycle. When he decided he wanted to be a pilot, he took lessons and learned to fly. When he decided he wanted to ride motorcycles, he learned to ride motorcycles. He had returned from a family trip just days prior to his passing.

Deputy Champion was nurtured with extra special love but preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Lucinda Pettie. Everyone who knew her knows her arms are spread wide to welcome her “Dez” home. Deputy Champion’s father, Darryl Porter, and brother Darryl Porter, Jr. also preceded him in death.

Deputy Champion is survived by his loving mother, father, and brother, Sandra Champion Jones, Tyrone A. Jones, and Tyrone A. Champion-Jones of Grandview, MO; his constant ride-or-die, devoted companion, Dianah Rushing of Excelsior Springs, MO; grandfather, N.C. Taylor, Jr. of Belzoni, MS; grandmothers, Rose Wilson Hollins (Charles) of Raytown, MO and Lula Gratton of Kansas City, MO. His great-aunt Mary Ann Cain of Macomb Township, MI; aunts, Deborah Taylor of Taylor, MI, and Sharon Taylor of Warren, MI; and uncles, N.C. Taylor III of Redford, MI, and Calvin J. Porter of Kansas City, MO will miss him dearly.  His cousins, Dyna Chambers (Greg) of Lebanon, TN; William Gale of Frisco, TX; Tara Jones of Macomb Township, MI; Braden Champion (Maria), Sheldon Champion of Omaha, NE, Faidra Washington of Houston, TX; Dominique Taylor of Taylor, MI; De’zhanae Taylor of Warren, MI; Dezhanna Taylor of Warren, MI; Tiera Taylor, N.C. Taylor IV, and Niyah Taylor of Redford, MI; and a host of other relatives and friends will cherish fond memories.

Deputy Champion’s extended family is broad. He will be forever loved by his godparents, Sunday, and Eunice Oriaku (Kansas City, MO); and two godchildren, Chandler Vanarsdall and Layla Champion.  Carla Rushing and Eugene Rushing (Kansas City, MO), parents of Dianah Rushing cherished Deputy Champion as their own son.  Timmya Mitchell, Josh Winchester, and J’Annah Winchester (Kansas City, MO) will always remember “Champ”. He will be missed by all his family and all in the community who had an opportunity to know him.