An investigation into the death of a former Sacramento man following a traffic stop in Tennessee has led to the termination of five police officers, the Memphis Police Department said Friday.The US Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee said in a statement this week that the FBI field office in Memphis and the civil rights division of the US Department of Justice are now investigating the death of Tire Nichols, 29.The investigations stem from a Jan. 7 traffic stop.According to Memphis police, Nichols was pulled over for “reckless driving.”Officers said a confrontation occurred during that traffic stop. Nichols allegedly took off on foot, and officers chased him.Police said they finally took Nichols into custody after another confrontation.When Nichols complained of having shortness of breath, police said, he was taken to the hospital.He died in the hospital on Jan 10, less than three days later.Friends and family of Nichols are now remembering him as positive and kind and a person “willing to go to any length for anyone.””He walked into a room and everyone smiled,” said Angelina Paxton , longtime friend and organizer of a GoFundMe page for Nichols’ family. “He was the kind of man we needed in this world.”Meeting in their teen years and remaining friends all through their early adulthood, Paxton and Nichols stayed connected, even after Nichols left Sacramento, according to Paxton, to live closer to his mother in Tennessee.”We met at church,” Paxton said. “We met at our youth group Flipt 180 in Natomas and a lot of people would know what that is. It was a very popular youth group.”Nichols would never visit Sacramento again. Paxton said she was in disbelief after seeing a photo, shared by Nichols’ family, showing him in the hospital, severely injured, in the days following his arrest after the traffic stop.” To see him like that, I never could imagine. Never could imagine his face ever looking like that, she said. “I can’t imagine anyone ever doing that to him.”Nichols’ family is having a difficult time believing what police said happened in his final hours to a man, who they said, very much respected the work of law enforcement officers.” There’s no way. There’s no way. I know this man. I’ve known him for years,” she said. “He doesn’t do drugs, he doesn’t drink. He was avid about his faith in God.” Paxton said she is in continuous contact with Nichols’ family. The family said it will be viewing body camera video from the five officers involved on Monday. It’s not clear when or if the video will be released publicly.The Memphis Police Department said after its internal review, that the five officers “violated multiple department policies including excessive use of force, duty to intervene, and duty to render aid.”A memorial for Nichols is set for Feb. 4, 2 pm-6 pm in Sacramento at the Skate Ramp, 7000 Franklin Blvd. Ste. 620
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
An investigation into the death of a former Sacramento man following a traffic stop in Tennessee has led to the termination of five police officers, the Memphis Police Department said Friday.
The US Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee said in a statement this week that the FBI field office in Memphis and the civil rights division of the US Department of Justice are now investigating the death of Tire Nichols, April 29.
The investigations stem from a Jan. 7 traffic stop.
According to Memphis police, Nichols was pulled over for “reckless driving.”
Officers said a confrontation occurred during that traffic stop. Nichols allegedly took off on foot, and officers chased him.
Police said they finally took Nichols into custody after another confrontation.
When Nichols complained of having shortness of breath, the police said, he was taken to the hospital.
He died in the hospital on Jan. 10, less than three days later.
Friends and family of Nichols are now remembering him as positive and kind and a person “willing to go to any length for anyone.”
“He walked into a room and everyone smiled,” said Angelina Paxton, longtime friend and organizer of a GoFundMe page for Nichols’ family. “He was the kind of man we needed in this world.”
Meeting in their teen years and remaining friends all through their early adulthood, Paxton and Nichols stayed connected, even after Nichols left Sacramento, according to Paxton, to live closer to his mother in Tennessee.
“We met at church,” Paxton said. “We met at our youth group Flipt 180 in Natomas and a lot of people would know what that is. It was a very popular youth group.”
Nichols would never visit Sacramento again.
Paxton said she was in disbelief after seeing a photo, shared by Nichols’ family, showing him in the hospital, severely injured, in the days following his arrest after the traffic stop.
“To see him like that, I never could imagine. Never could imagine his face ever looking like that, she said. “I can’t imagine anyone ever doing that to him.”
Nichols’ family is having a difficult time believing what police said happened in his final hours to a man who they said very much respected the work of law enforcement officers.
“There’s no way. There’s no way. I know this man. I’ve known him for years,” she said. “He doesn’t do drugs, he doesn’t drink. He was avid about his faith in God.”
Paxton said she is in continuous contact with Nichols’ family. The family said it will be viewing body camera video from the five officers involved on Monday. It’s not clear when or if the video will be released publicly.
The Memphis Police Department said after its internal review that the five officers “violated multiple department policies including excessive use of force, duty to intervene, and duty to render aid.”
A memorial for Nichols is set for Feb. 4, 2 pm-6 pm in Sacramento at the Skate Ramp, 7000 Franklin Blvd. Ste. 620
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