Five former MPD officers dismissed from Tyré Nichols civil suit

The plaintiffs filed to dismiss them so the trial can continue as scheduled in November 2026.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:05am

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An extreme close-up of a police badge or handcuff, the metal surface reflecting a harsh, bright light that casts dramatic shadows, conceptually representing the investigation into the Tyré Nichols case.The dismissal of several former officers from the Tyré Nichols civil lawsuit brings the case one step closer to trial, where the family seeks accountability for his death.Memphis Today

Five former Memphis Police Department officers have been dismissed from the civil lawsuit filed by the family of Tyré Nichols, who died in 2023 after a violent encounter with MPD officers. The plaintiffs requested the dismissal so the planned November 2026 trial can proceed as scheduled.

Why it matters

The Tyré Nichols case sparked national outrage over police brutality and led to reforms in the Memphis Police Department. Dismissing these five officers from the civil lawsuit streamlines the case and allows the trial to move forward without further delays.

The details

The five former MPD officers who were dismissed from the civil lawsuit are no longer employed by the department. Their dismissal from the case was requested by the plaintiffs, the family of Tyré Nichols, in order to ensure the trial can proceed as planned in November 2026.

  • Tyré Nichols died in January 2023 following a violent encounter with MPD officers.
  • The civil lawsuit was filed by Nichols' family shortly after his death.
  • The trial is scheduled to begin in November 2026.

The players

Tyré Nichols

A 29-year-old Memphis resident who died in 2023 after a violent encounter with Memphis Police Department officers.

Memphis Police Department

The law enforcement agency in Memphis, Tennessee that employed the officers involved in the incident with Tyré Nichols.

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What they’re saying

“We are pleased that the trial can now move forward as planned, so that the family can seek the justice they deserve.”

— Ben Crump, Civil rights attorney representing the Nichols family

What’s next

The civil trial against the remaining defendants is scheduled to begin in November 2026.

The takeaway

The dismissal of the five former MPD officers from the Tyré Nichols civil lawsuit clears the way for the trial to proceed as planned, allowing the Nichols family to seek accountability and justice through the legal system.