• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Memphis Police Department terminates five officers for ‘excessive force’ death

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Justice are investigating the case

Memphis Police Department

From left to right, Officers Tadarrius Bean, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III; Bottom row from left to right,  Desmond Mills Jr., and Demetrius Haley. (Memphis Police Department)

January 23, 2023
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Police Department announced Friday that five officers were fired. Each one was involved in a traffic stop and the subsequent “excessive force” death of Tyre Nichols, according to the agency.

The terminated officers were identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith. They are accused of using unlawful force against Nichols, who reportedly fought and fled from officers after he was stopped for reckless driving on Jan 7, reported ABC 24 in Memphis.

The Memphis Police Department initially released the following statement:

“On Jan. 7, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m. officers in the area of Raines Road and Ross Road attempted to make a traffic stop for reckless driving. As officers approached the driver of the vehicle, a confrontation occurred, and the suspect fled the scene on foot. Officers pursued the suspect and again attempted to take the suspect into custody. While attempting to take the suspect into custody, another confrontation occurred; however, the suspect was ultimately apprehended. Afterward, the suspect complained of having a shortness of breath, at which time an ambulance was called to the scene. The suspect was transported to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition. 

“Due to the suspect’s condition, the District Attorney General’s Office was contacted, and it was determined that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation would handle this investigation. The officers involved will be routinely relieved of duty pending the outcome of this investigation. All additional information regarding this incident will be provided by TBI.”

pic.twitter.com/ViSZq0A5Ua

— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) January 8, 2023

Nichols died three days later and the officers were ultimately terminated Jan. 20 after a disciplinary hearing was held. The five officers had two to five years of experience when they were fired.

  • Officer Tadarrius Bean, with MPD since 2020.
  • Officer Demetrius Haley, with MPD since 2020.
  • Officer Emmitt Martin III, with MPD since 2018.
  • Officer Desmond Mills Jr., with MPD since 2017.
  • Officer Justin Smith, with MPD since 2018.
Memphis Police Department
From left to right, Officers Tadarrius Bean, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III; Bottom row from left to right,  Desmond Mills Jr., and Demetrius Haley. (Memphis Police Department)

In a Friday statement, MPD said the actions of these officers were “egregious” in nature:

“The Memphis Police Department has concluded its administrative investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Tyre Nichols. After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this incident, we have determined that five (5) MPD officers violated multiple department policies, including excessive use of force, duty to intervene, and duty to render aid.

“Earlier today, each officer charged was terminated from the Memphis Police Department. The Memphis Police Department is committed to protecting and defending the rights of every citizen in our city. The egregious nature of this incident is not a reflection of the good work that our officers perform, with integrity, ever day.”

As a result of Nichols’ death, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating in addition to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci are representing Nichols family. They are calling for the release of body camera footage, but are satisfied with the officers terminations, Black Enterprise reported. 

“They must also be held accountable for robbing this man of his life and his son of a father,” Crump and Romanucci said.

Tyre Nichols

Tyre Nichols (Obituary via dignitymemorial.comScreenshot)

According to ABC 24, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis condemned the officers actions and Mayor Jim Strickland is preparing to meet with Crump this week.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Antonio RomanucciBen CrumpChief Cerelyn “CJ” DavisDemetrius HaleyDesmond Mills Jr.Emmitt Martin IIIJustin SmithmemphisMemphis Police DepartmentTadarrius BeanTyre Nichols
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Memphis Fire Department

Memphis Fire Department terminates 3 personnel following Tyre Nichols death

January 31, 2023
Preston Hemphill

Sixth Memphis police officer suspended in Tyre Nichols case

January 30, 2023
Chief Cerelyn Davis

Lowered Memphis hiring standards, Chief Cerelyn Davis’ checkered background getting discussed as terminated officers are charged with murder

January 29, 2023
Tyre Nichols death

Memphis Police release videos related to Tyre Nichols death

January 28, 2023
five Memphis officers

Five Memphis officers charged with murder in Tyre Nichols’ death

January 26, 2023
Chief Cerelyn Davis

Memphis police chief prepares community for release of bodycam video in Tyre Nichols death

January 26, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

Eunice Dwumfour

Republican councilwoman gunned down near her New Jersey home

February 2, 2023
Alireza Heidari

Iranian illegal immigrant on terror watch list captured by Texas DPS near southern border

February 1, 2023
Gonzalo Carrasco

California police officer shot and killed while checking on ‘suspicious person’

February 1, 2023
Marine recruiters

Marine recruiters try to get members booted over vax mandate to rejoin

February 1, 2023
Sharaban K

Woman accused of murdering lookalike to fake own death, prosecutors say

February 1, 2023
Madison Russo

TikToker charged with conning people out of $37K with GoFundMe cancer scam

January 31, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com