President of firefighters union defends department in Tyre Nichols case
The head of the union representing city firefighters defended the department’s employees in a letter to City Council members.
The head of the union representing city firefighters defended the department’s employees in a letter to City Council members.
Gershun Freeman, 33, died after sustaining injuries during the altercation Oct. 5, 2022, while he was detained at the Shelby County Jail.
In 2022, the TBI investigated nine officer-involved shootings in Shelby County, the highest number since 2019. But at least part of the reason for the increase may stem from the District Attorney’s office.
Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy requested a TBI investigation into Gershun Freeman’s death on Oct. 5 while he was in the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar Ave.
The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office is reviewing all prior cases involving the five officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols.
The request is under consideration, but Hemphill has not yet been decertified.
After Memphis Shelby Crime Commission’s juvenile crime forum, 250 attendees showed strong support for more community investment in programs for youths, more intensive supervision for certain offenders and salary increases for detention center employees, according to a survey.
Demetrius Haley is one of six officers who have been fired from the police department and one of five who have been charged with second degree murder and other charges related to the death of Nichols. Alleged victim of SCORPION unit files $5M lawsuit against city, MPD officersRelated stories:
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Feb. 7, by Monterrious Harris, 22, with the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.
Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis told Memphis City Council members that the total number of officers now facing internal police charges is 13. Former MPD Officer Demetrius Haley took photos of Tyre Nichols after beatingRelated story:
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said a video of the incident was discovered on social media.
The unusually long committee discussion comes with six ordinance proposals that would reform police policies and begins with what are expected to be lots of questions for Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis.
New GPS technology can be expensive, but it’s one way police are reducing the need for high-speed chases.
The quick release of footage of the Tyre Nichols’ beating is an anomaly for MPD, which has not released video or other details in a series of officer-involved shootings since November.
Memphis Police Department footage shows more than 20 participants bursting into businesses in some recent burglaries.
Restrictive police pursuit policies are becoming the norm nationally and in the Memphis area. This means fewer crashes, fewer injuries and deaths. But some criminals know police probably won’t chase, so they get away.
Hemphill is the sixth MPD officer to be fired for violating police policies in the Jan. 7 death of Tyre Nichols. State board suspends 2 of 3 fired EMTs over failure to help Tyre NicholsRelated story:
Cleotha Henderson, aka Abston, was arraigned on multiple counts Friday, including a charge of first-degree murder in the killing of Eliza Fletcher.
Bishop Brandon Porter said the officer injured in Thursday’s shooting was also the director of security at his church. TBI confirms officer in critical condition after East Memphis shootingRelated story:
“No pursuit is worth the loss of innocent life,” Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said.
A heavy police presence was spotted at the White Station Poplar Library around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2. TBI confirms officer in critical condition after East Memphis shooting
Major violent crime was down 5.1% in Memphis and 5% in Shelby County for 2022 compared to the year prior. But major property crime — mainly driven by more than a 100% increase in vehicle thefts — is up. Related story:
It took five years — five years — for New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo to be fired after Eric Garner’s death in 2014. In Memphis, in 2023, it took 13 days for five officers to be fired for their roles in Tyre Nichols’ death.
Tyre was friends with many people, but he found plenty of respite in solitude, too, with his camera and skateboard.
Sharpton will eulogize Nichols at his funeral at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Wednesday, Feb. 1. White House officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, are set to attend.