Five Memphis Police Officers Fired after Traffic Stop Leads to Death
On January 20, 2023, the Memphis Police Department fired five police officers on accounts of multiple charges. Let’s explore the details of the news with Ehline Law and our personal injury attorneys.
Five Memphis Police Officers Fired after Traffic Stop Leads to Medical Emergency Resulting in Death
On January 7, 2023, five Memphis police officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, arrested a 29-year-old black man, Tyre Nichols who died three days after the traffic stop.
US DOJ Starts a Civil Rights Investigation, and Other Investigative Agencies Follow
According to the authorities, the Memphis Police Department conducted an investigation into the matter and fired the five Memphis police department officers soon after. Following the incident, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a civil rights investigation into Tyre Nichols’ death. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also picked up the case to determine the force used by the five officers following the traffic stop arrest.
The grieving family members and the raging community protested the death of Tyre Nichols outside the Memphis police station, demanding the release of body camera footage and criminal action against Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., and Justin Smith.
According to authorities, Nichols experienced a medical emergency, but the family of Tyre Nichols and their relatives allege that the police carried out brutality during the traffic stop leading to a heart attack.
Pursuing Officers Beat Nichols Resulting in a Cardiac Arrest, Relatives State
The Memphis police stated that the officers stopped Nichols for reckless driving, and when they tried to approach him, Nichols ran away to avoid confrontation with the officers. The pursuing police officers arrested him, and after Nichols complained of shortness of breath, he was immediately hospitalized.
However, relatives of Nichols are not buying the version of the story narrated by the Memphis police department. They believe that Nichols suffered a heart attack and kidney failure after the police beat him brutally, which is why they’ve protested to demand the release of the body camera footage.
In response to the protests, Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis fired the five officers. He said they would release the police body camera footage once the police department’s investigation is complete.
Nichols left behind a four-year-old son. The Attorneys representing the Nichols family stated that the decision to fire the five officers is the first step to achieving justice and that they will not stop until they are held accountable.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and the Police Chief have also organized a meetup with the grieving family in the coming week. Davis reiterated that the incident is in no way a reflection of how the police officers perform in the department and that disciplinary action was the first move in protecting the integrity of the Memphis Police Department.
Holding Law Enforcement Responsible for Police Brutality
The Civil Rights Act of 1871 is a federal law that holds police officers accountable for civil rights violations, including the use of excessive force or police brutality. These claims are often complex, as excessive force means force beyond what a police officer reasonably believes necessary to control the situation. It is crucial for victims to speak to experienced civil rights attorneys to learn more about their rights.
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If you lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be able to seek compensation.
