MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The identity of the sixth Memphis police officer involved in the traffic stop that led to Tyre Nichols' death has now been revealed.
Preston Hemphill, the newly identified former Memphis Police Department (MPD) officer involved in Nichols' murder, first joined the department in 2018.
According to MPD, one additional officer was fired and is now being investigated in Nichols' murder, but his identity has not been released.
Hemphill and six other officers were relieved of duty from the MPD on Friday, Jan. 8 for their involvement in the traffic stop that further led to Nichols' death.
Five of those officer's identities were revealed, and they were indicted on several charges, including second degree murder.
This demonstration of immediate identification and transparency has not been the same Hemphill or the seventh officer, who remains unknown.
The delayed released of Hemphill’s identity, as well as the unreleased identity of the seventh officer in question, is bringing up a lot of questions about the transparency in the ongoing investigation.
So far, no charges are listed for Hemphill, the seventh officer, the three Memphis Fire Department (MFD) employees who were fired Monday, Jan. 30, or the two Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were said to be under investigation for their alleged involvement in Nichols' death.
The fact that Hemphill is the only known white officer from MPD involved in the investigation is not lost on the family of Tyre Nichols, the attorneys representing them, the Memphis community.
The attorneys issued the following statement on Monday, Jan. 30 following the reveal of Hemphill’s involvement in the traffic stop:
"The news today from Memphis officials that Officer Preston Hemphill was reportedly relieved of duty weeks ago, but not yet terminated or charged, is extremely disappointing. Why is his identity and the role he played in Tyre’s death just now coming to light?
We have asked from the beginning that the Memphis Police Department be transparent with the family and the community – this news seems to indicate that they haven’t risen to the occasion. It certainly begs the question why the white officer involved in this brutal attack was shielded and protected from the public eye, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability. The Memphis Police Department owes us all answers.”
Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald issued this 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."
Multiple recordings of MPD bodycam and skycam footage from the incident was released on Friday, Jan. 27. The footage shows video of the altercation that occurred between Nichols and several MPD officers that ultimately left Nichols dead from beginning to end, with some missed parts.
The first video shows the beginning moments of Hemphill arriving at the initial encounter said to be a traffic stop. He drives up, meeting the two other officers who pulled Nichols over at the scene.
Hemphill is seen exiting his police car with his gun pulled as he walks towards Nichols and one of the officers.
The officer Hemphill walks towards is seen forcibly pulling Nichols out of his vehicle, and Hemphill puts his gun away and begins to help the officer force Nichols to the ground.
The second officer on scene is seen walking around Nichols car, from the passenger side of the vehicle to the driver's side, where Hemphill, the first officer, and Nichols are in a struggle as both Hemphill and the first officer force Nichols to the ground and repeatedly yell, telling Nichols to get on the ground, amongst other inappropriate language.
When the second officer makes it around the vehicle, the video then shows the three officers wrestling Nichols. During the struggle, Hemphill is heard saying, "I'm fixing to tase you."
Shortly after Hemphill threatens to use his taser, the video shows the two officers pepper spray Nichols. Hemphill then deploys his taser while Nichols is on the ground. Nichols then gets up as he is being hit by Hemphill's taser and manages to run away.
While regrouping, Hemphill can be heard on his body camera saying to one of the officers, "I hope they stomp his a–".
On Monday the Shelby County District Attorney’s office said:
“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.”