Police warden in Tire Nichols death retired with benefits day before termination hearing: reports

According to media reports, the police warden who was at the scene of Tire Nichols’ arrest withdrew the day before his hearing on termination with benefits.

Lt. DeWayne Smith, who spent 25 years with the Memphis Police Department, was disciplinary charged with dereliction of duty, unauthorized public statements and compliance when he filed for retirement on March 1, reported Memphis’ Action News 5. His disciplinary hearing was for scheduled for March 2nd.

During the Jan. 7 arrest that eventually led to Nichols’ death, Smith was unable to give the 29-year-old medical attention or remove his handcuffs, according to NBC News, although he heard him say, “I can’t breathe.”

Nichols was brutally beaten by several Memphis police officers during a traffic stop in early January and died of his injuries three days later. Although he noted Nichols’ injuries, Smith received no reports from the other officers of their use of force.

Smith also told Nichols’ family that he was driving under the influence, although no evidence supported such a conclusion, and that he did not wear his body camera during the arrest, which violated department guidelines, NBC News reported.

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“This is extremely worrying [the Memphis Police Department] accepted the retirement of this senior officer!” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Nichols family, in a tweet.

“Police and Memphis officials should do everything in their power to secure Lt. Hold Smith accountable and not let his cowardice in resigning bypass the consequences of his actions!” he added.

Seven officers were fired over Nichols’ death, including five who were charged with second-degree murder. Three members of the Memphis Fire Department were also fired for failing to provide medical attention to Nichols.

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