The Memphis Police Department fired 5 officers involved in the arrest of Tyre Nichols until his death 3 days later.

Five Memphis Police Department officers were fired for using excessive force and violating other rules, the department said Friday.

Officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith were fired following an internal administrative review, the department said in a statement.

Along with the excessive use of force, the officers also violated the department’s obligation to intervene and to assist in the arrest of 29-year-old Tyr Nichols, who died three days later on January 10.

The U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil investigation into Nichols’ death after a traffic stop on January 7, when he complained of shortness of breath and later died in hospital.

A portrait of Tyre Nichols is on display at a memorial service for him on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Memphis.
(AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

Nichols and all five officers are black.

“This is the first step towards justice for Tyr and his family,” Nichols family lawyers Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a joint statement. “They should also be held accountable for taking the life of this man and the father of his son.” They said they would continue to “demand transparency and accountability.”

The discharged officers were identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
(Memphis Police Department)

Memphis Police Chief Serelyn “CJ” Davis and Mayor Jim Strickland said body camera footage showing the arrest would be made public after the Nichols family had a chance to view it and the investigation was complete.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is also looking into the force used in the arrest.

Nichols’ relatives accused the police of beating him until he had a heart attack during his arrest, while police say he required emergency medical attention.

After Nichols was pulled over for reckless driving, there was a confrontation and he fled before being arrested.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.