MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A high-ranking Memphis, Tennessee police officer on duty at the scene of the beating that would end Tyre Nichols life, retired one day before he was expected to be fired, according to Memphis City Council Vice Chairman JB Smiley, Jr.
"We're accountable to the people who pay taxes," Smiley told ABC News."And if we're wronging the people who pay taxes, we shouldn't be allowed to receive dollars that are ultimately theirs."
The mother and stepfather of Nichols, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, spoke alongside Ben Crump, who leads their legal team, and Al Sharpton at the National Action Network House of Justice in Harlem Saturday. According to a statement from Wells' attorneys, Lt. Smith observed Nichols as he lay battered on the ground, neither rendering aid nor asking for immediate medical attention for Nichols. The Memphis Police Department declined to comment and did not respond to requests to obtain the police reports related to Lt. Smith's retirement.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Memphis police supervisor in Tyre Nichols' death retired with benefits before he could be firedThe Memphis police supervisor on the scene when Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by officers retired with his benefits the day before a hearing to terminate him.
Read more »
Memphis police lieutenant who was on scene of Tyre Nichols' violent beating retired with benefitsThe Memphis police supervisor on scene when Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by officers retired with his benefits the day before a hearing to fire him, according to documents filed to revoke his law enforcement certification.
Read more »
Retired Memphis cop should face punishment in Tyre Nichols death: familyThe family of police shooting victim Tyre Nichols talks about the Memphis police force during a Harlem rally.
Read more »
Tyre Nichols family filing civil lawsuit in Memphis to get 'truth' on traffic stopThe family of Tyre Nichols will bring a civil lawsuit against the Memphis Police Department over his death in an effort to get answers about why that fatal traffic stop took place.
Read more »
Police supervisor in Tyre Nichols' death retired with benefits before getting firedLt. DeWayne Smith was believed to be the highest-ranking officer on the scene, according to a statement from Nichols' family's lawyers.
Read more »
Police supervisor in Tyre Nichols' death retired with benefits before firingThe Memphis officer was allowed to retire with his pension and other benefits a day before a hearing to fire him.
Read more »