7 US Cops Suspended, 3 Firefighters Fired Over Fatal Beating Of Black Man

The fire department said it had terminated three firefighters who arrived at the scene but failed to provide adequate medical assistance to 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.

Memphis police said Monday a seventh officer has been suspended over the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a young Black man whose death shocked the United States and has seen five officers fired and charged with murder.

The city's fire department also said it had terminated three firefighters who arrived at the scene but failed to provide adequate medical assistance to Nichols.

"The Memphis Police Department began administrative investigations on officers involved in the death of Tyre Nichols on January 7, 2023. On January 8, seven officers including Officer Preston Hemphill were relieved of duty," the Memphis Police Department said in a statement.

Hemphill, who joined the force in 2018 and who is white, is suspended "pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation," police spokeswoman Kim Elder said in a separate statement.