An additional Memphis police officer was fired after the death of Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old man who died after officers beat him last month, police said Friday.
Officer Preston Hemphill, who had been relieved of duty, was «charged with and terminated from the department» for violations including personal conduct, truthfulness and violation of rules regarding a Taser stun device, police said in a declaration.
Departmental charges are not the same as criminal charges, and he has not been charged with any crimes, police said.
Five other Memphis police officers were fired and criminally charged with second-degree murder and other charges after the aggressive traffic stop and subsequent beating of Nichols on January 7.
Police said in Friday’s statement that an administrative investigation is underway and that «several MPD officers are under investigation for violations of departmental policy.»
This week, three Memphis EMTs who responded to the incident were fired following an internal investigation, the Memphis Fire Department said.
Hemphill’s lawyer said Monday that Hemphill was at the scene of the traffic stop but was never present at the scene afterward where Nichols is seen on video being beaten, beaten with a cane and otherwise abused.
Nichols was hospitalized and died three days later.
Seven Memphis police officers, including the five criminally charged officers and Hemphill, were relieved of duty following the deadly encounter. Six of them have been laid off.
Hemphill was hired by the Memphis police in March 2018, the police department said.
Videos of the police arrest and beating of Nichols shocked and horrified people across the country. FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was «appalled,» and President Joe Biden said he was outraged and called the video horrifying.
This is a developing history. Please check for updates.