Another Memphis Police officer involved in Tyre Nichols confrontation relieved of duty

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Another officer has been relieved of duty following the confrontations between Tyre Nichols and Memphis Police officers three days before Nichols died at a Memphis hospital.

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) told FOX13 that Preston Hemphill has been relieved of duty.

FOX13 has confirmed that Hemphill is the officer seen on body cam footage tasing Nichols during the original traffic stop.

That does not mean that Hemphill has been fired or charged, but only that the officer is under investigation.

Hemphill’s attorney Lee Gerald, sent FOX13 the following statement.

“I can confirm that I represent Memphis Police Officer Preston Hemphill who was the third officer at the initial stop of Mr. Nichols. Video One is his bodycam footage. As per departmental regulations Officer Hemphill activated his bodycam. He was never present at the second scene. He is cooperating with officials in this investigation.”

RELATED: Graphic video shows Memphis Police beating Tyre Nichols

In a statement, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said the following:

“This is an ongoing investigation. The current charges do not preclude us from adding additional charges as more information is presented. We are looking at all individuals involved in the events leading up to, during, and after the beating of Tyre Nichols. This includes the officer present at the initial encounter who has not— so far—been charged, Memphis Fire Department personnel, and persons who participated in preparing documentation of the incident afterward.

The DA’s Office worked extraordinarily swiftly but thoroughly to charge those whose offenses were plain and clear and directly contributed to the death of Mr. Nichols, but in no way is this investigation over.

While we are committed to transparency, we cannot comment on the details of an ongoing investigation or give previews of what charges we may or may not bring.

Our goal remains the same: to seek justice for Tyre Nichols and hold all who contributed to his death accountable. We ask for the public’s patience as the investigation continues.”

Five other now-former Memphis Police officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder, among other charges, in connection to the beating and eventual death of Tyre Nichols.

Those officers were originally relieved of duty while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigated their actions that night. Following an internal investigation by MPD, those officers were fired prior to the charges being announced against them.

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The Memphis Police Department did not say if Hemphill also faces possible termination or criminal charges in connection to Nichols’ beating and death.

FOX13 confirmed that Hemphill started with the Memphis Police Department in 2018.

Community leaders told FOX13 those involved in the death of Nichols needs to be brought to justice.

They said this is how police investigations should be handled moving forward nationwide.

“I think most people were shocked to find it was five African Americans who were the primary contributors to the beating of Tyre Nichols. It’s not a police color issue but a police culture issue. So I imagine it would run the spectrum of people involved,” said Sen. Raumesh Akbari (d)-Memphis.

Hemphill is the first white officer to be implicated in the investigation.

Lee Gerald is an attorney representing Hemphill.

In a statement, Gerald told FOX13 Hemphill was the third officer at the initial stop of Nichols, but was never present at the second scene.

However, Memphis NAACP president Van Turner believes Hemphill deserves the same charges as the other five former MPD officers.

Those officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder, attempted kidnapping among other crimes.

“He had a duty to intervene. He still participated in an unlawful stop and seizure. He still tased Tyre for no reason, because he was not resisting. So for all of these things, he should be held accountable,” said Van Turner, Memphis NAACP president.

MPD told FOX13 Hemphill has been on the force since 2018.

Gerald said he has been cooperating with officials in this investigation.

FOX13 reached out to the Shelby County District Attorney’s office to see if Hemphill will face any charges and they said it’s an ongoing investigation.

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