Sixth officer involved in Tyre Nichols death relieved of duty

MEMPHIS, Tenn — A sixth Memphis police officer involved in the arrest that led to the death of Tire Nichols on January 7 has been dismissed, a department spokesman confirmed to ABC24 Monday. .

According to Memphis Police, Officer Preston Hemphill has been dismissed during the ongoing investigation. Memphis Police told ABC24 Hemphill was relieved to begin their internal investigation on January 8 into the circumstances that ultimately led to Nichols’ death.

We are working to find out why his name was just revealed on Monday.

Hemphill was hired in 2018.

Memphis Police said additional information will be available on their social media platforms once it becomes available.

Protesters have called on the MPD and city officials to take more action after a video showing the 29-year-old being beaten by five former Memphis Police officers was released on Friday.

An attorney representing Hemphill made the following statement:

“I can confirm that I represent Memphis Police Officer Preston Hemphill, who was the third officer at Mr. Nichols’ original stop. Video One is body camera footage of him. As specified by the Department, Officer Hemphill activated his body camera. He was never present at the scene a second time. He is cooperating with officials on this investigation.”

Hemphill was shown on video during the MPD’s initial confrontation with Nichols, forcefully pulling him out of the car while knocking him to the ground with a Taser, then saying, “I hope they stomp him**” after Nichols escaped.

Memphis police said there were two confrontations between Nichols and officers. After being arrested, Nichols complained of difficulty breathing and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He died three days later.

Relatives have accused police of giving Nichols a heart attack and kidney failure. Authorities only said that Nichols was experiencing a medical emergency.

According to civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who was employed by Nichols’ family, an independent autopsy revealed that Nichols was bleeding profusely from the brutal beating.

Nichols’ family said police beat him to the point of being unrecognizable.

Five Memphis Police officers were fired and subsequently charged with multiple counts, including second-degree murder, in Nichols’ death.