THE THIN BLACK AND BLUE LINE
The Memphis Police Department fired five officers Friday evening who were involved in an arrest that appears to have led to the death of a 29-year-old Black motorist earlier this month.
The five officers — all of whom are Black — were found to have violated department policies pertaining to use of force, duty to render aid and duty to intervene, the department said in a news release. Their ouster comes in advance of the department’s pledged release of video footage depicting the arrest of Tyre Nichols on Jan. 7.
Nichols died on Jan. 10, three days after the officers pulled him over for reckless driving, according to the department. Nichols fled on foot, but was eventually caught and taken into custody. After his arrest, he complained of shortness of breath.
According to his family, Nichols suffered a broken neck and went into cardiac arrest during the confrontation with police. The family released a photo of Nichols in a hospital bed, eyes swollen shut from bruising and nose askew.
❋Police say Nichols then complained of “shortness of breath” and was taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition.
❋Nichols’ family says the incident made him go into cardiac arrest, left him with a broken neck and he suffered from other medical issues.
❋On Jan. 10, he died in the hospital.
- He is 29 years old. His family says he’s 6’4”, 145-150 lbs.
- He leaves behind a 4-year-old son.
- Family says he’s never been in trouble.
- He liked to take pictures and loved to skateboard. Friends wore “Skate in Peace” shirts to his memorial.
- He was “infectious,” family said. The type of guy that “everywhere he went, he left an impact.” They say he had a “pure soul” and loved helping people.
- He worked at FedEx. The company released a statement and said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our team member.”
City officials also vowed this week to release the body camera footage after the Police Department’s investigation had been completed and Mr. Nichols’s family had the opportunity to see it, which is expected to happen early next week. (This week now)
