Memphis police fire another officer in Tyre Nichols' death

3:18 pm on 4 February 2023

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 27: A photo of Tyre Nichols is positioned prior to a press conference on January 27, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died three days after being severely beaten by five Memphis Police Department officers during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023. Memphis and cities across the country are bracing for potential unrest when the city releases video footage from the beating to the public later this evening. Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Tyre Nichols died after he was beaten by Memphis police officers in January. Photo: AFP

By Daniel Trotta

Memphis police on Friday fired a sixth officer involved in the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was beaten by officers in the Tennessee city last month.

The Memphis Police Department identified the officer as Preston Hemphill, saying in a statement that Hemphill violated department policies on personal conduct, truthfulness, and compliance with regulations regarding the use of a Taser, among other violations.

Five other officers, all Black, have previously been fired and charged with second-degree murder over the death of Nichols, the latest in a series of African-American victims whose deaths have fueled a national debate about race and police brutality.

"While we disagree with this termination, Preston Hemphill will continue to cooperate with all authorities in the investigation into the death of Mr. Nichols," Lee Gerald, an attorney representing Hemphill, said by telephone.

(COMBO) This combination of photos from the Memphis Police Department in Tennessee created on January 26, 2023 shows, former Memphis, Tennessee, police officers (L-R) Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills, Emmitt Martin, Tadarrius Bean, and Justin Smith. - US authorities on January 26, 2023 charged five officers with second-degree murder over the fatal beating of a Black man in the eastern state of Tennessee following a traffic stop. (Photo by Handout / Memphis Police Department / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Memphis Police Department" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Some of the officers charged with Tyre Nichols' death. Photo: AFP / Memphis Police Department

Gerald declined to comment on whether his client would also face criminal charges, but said of his cooperation with the investigation: "That speaks for itself."

Hemphill, who is white, and a seventh officer had previously been relieved of duty. Three members of the fire department have also been fired for failing to provide proper emergency medical treatment after Nichols was handcuffed.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has said other police officers, fire department personnel and others who prepared documentation of the incident may also face criminal charges as more information becomes available.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 27: Demonstrators block traffic on Interstate 55 while protesting the death of Tyre Nichols on January 27, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. The release of a video depicting the fatal beating of Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, sparked protests in cities throughout the country. Nichols was violently beaten for three minutes and killed by Memphis police officers earlier this month after a traffic stop. Five Black Memphis Police officers have been fired after an internal investigation found them to be “directly responsible” for the beating and have been charged with “second-degree murder, aggravated assault, two charges of aggravated kidnapping, two charges of official misconduct and one charge of official oppression.” Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Demonstrators block traffic on Interstate 55 on 27 January while protesting the death of Tyre Nichols. Photo: AFP

Police video of the events showed officers kicking, punching and beating Nichols with a baton after pulling him out of his car during a traffic stop on 7 January. Nichols died of his injuries three days later.

Hemphill wore the body camera that captured the first of four videos released by authorities, Gerald said previously.

In the video, Hemphill appears to fire a Taser stun gun at Nichols after Nichols is dragged from his car, forced to the ground and doused with pepper spray before he breaks free and runs away.

The five officers who were later dismissed chased him and participated in the most severe beatings.

- Reuters