Three Memphis Fire Department Employees Fired for Violating Protocol in Response to Fatal Beating of Tyre Nichols

The Memphis Fire Department announced Monday that three paramedics who responded to the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols have been fired.

Robert Long, JaMichael Sandridge, and Lt. Michelle Whitaker were terminated Monday after it was found that they violated policy and protocol in their response to Nichols on Jan. 7.

“Their actions or inactions on the scene that night do not meet the expectations of the Memphis Fire Department and are not reflective of the outstanding service the men and women of the Memphis Fire Department provide daily in our community,” the statement said.

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— Memphis Fire Department (@MEM_Fire) January 30, 2023

A news release from the department said MFD first received a call about a person pepper sprayed at E. Raines Rd. and Ross Rd.

Engine 55 was dispatched to the call at 8:32 p.m. and arrived at 8:36. After speaking to an officer, they were directed to the second location at Ross Rd. and Castlegate, where they found Nichols handcuffed on the ground, leaning against a police vehicle.

Upon arrival, Lt. Whitaker remained in the vehicle while EMTs Long and Sandridge responded to Nichols, the department said.

“Our investigation has concluded that the two EMT’s responded based on the initial nature of the call (person pepper sprayed) and information they were told on the scene and failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Mr. Nichols,” the department said.

Nichols was later transported to the hospital in critical condition after they requested an ambulance. He died three days later.