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The Memphis Police Department fired a sixth officer on Friday as it announced further findings from its internal investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols.
Nichols, 29, passed away in the hospital on Jan. 10, three days after a violent encounter with five Memphis police officers during a traffic stop that ultimately ended with Nichols succumbing to injuries sustained in the incident. The encounter was captured in video recordings made public by the city of Memphis on Jan. 27.
In a statement, Memphis PD said it concluded that former officer Preston Hemphill, 26, violated multiple department policies, resulting in his termination. Hemphill had already been suspended on Monday with pay, pending a hearing.
Hemphill was charged with violations of personal conduct, truthfulness, use of a conducted energy weapon (TASER), uniform and equipment regulations, and processing of recovered property, according to Memphis PD.
Memphis PD said the investigation into the five other officers charged over Nichols’s death is ongoing, with updates expected to be released in the near future.
Hemphill was hired by the MPD in March 2018.
An attorney for Hemphill said his client would cooperate fully with police.
“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 said.Multiple Firings
A seventh police officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was also taken off duty without pay, according to the Memphis Police Department.
Along with the seven police officers, three members of the city’s fire department have been dismissed for not providing adequate medical care to Nichols after he was handcuffed.
