Death of Tyre Nichols: law enforcement team ‘furious’ over alleged attack during traffic stop

The president of the law enforcement group says he is “pissed off” by the description of the alleged attack by Memphis cops on Tyre Nichols.

Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Police Order, made the comments ahead of the release Friday night of a camera video regarding Tyre Nichols’ traffic stop that ended with the man being taken to a local hospital where he later died.

“According to reports, the fact that none of these officers – NONE of them – took action to stop this brutal attack only adds to my horror – it’s disgusting,” Yoes said. “People arrested and charged with this crime have the rights, the presumption of innocence and due legal protection of anyone accused of a crime. But the point here is that Tyre Nichols, his family, and our entire country must see justice. done quickly and correctly.

Yoes said that from what he had heard about the incident, it didn’t sound like legitimate police work.

BIDEN CALLS TYR NICHOLS FAMILY HOURS BEFORE BODYCAM PUBLIC RELEASE

Memphis Police Department officers Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith were fired on January 18 for their role in the arrest of Tyr Nichols, now deceased.
(Memphis Police Department)

“The event described to us is not legitimate police work or a traffic violation,” Yoes said. “This is a criminal attack under the pretense of law.”

“This crime showdown should not and does not define the brave men and women of the Memphis Police Department or the 800,000+ officers who are protecting our country and society from the violence that occurred in this incident,” he added.

Five former Memphis cops have been fired and are charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and other charges.

WHITE HOUSE STATES VIOLENCE UNACCEPTABLE UNDER EXPECTED TIRE PROTESTS NICHOLS BODYCAM VIDEO

This photo, courtesy of the Nichols family, shows Tyre Nichols, who had a passion for photography and was described by friends as joyful and sweet. Nichols was just minutes from his home in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 7, 2023, when he was pulled over by police and beaten to death. Since then, five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes.
(Contributed by the Nichols family via AP)

Memphis police said its officers pulled over Nichols on January 7 for “reckless driving” and that “there was an altercation during the stop” that resulted in Nichols attempting to run from the police.

After catching up with Nichols, officials said there was another collision that resulted in Nichols complaining of shortness of breath.

“Another skirmish occurred while trying to take the suspect into custody, but the suspect was eventually detained,” the report said. “After that, the suspect complained of shortness of breath, after which an ambulance was called to the scene.”

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A portrait of Tyre Nichols is on display at a memorial service for him on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. Nichols was killed during a traffic stop with Memphis police on January 7. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)
(AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

Nichols was then taken to St. Francis Hospital and was described as being in critical condition, but he died on January 10, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.