Officer on scene of Tyre Nichols’ death retired day before dismissal hearing

The screen at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans honours Tyre Nichols before an NBA basketball game (Matthew Hinton/AP/PA)

The Memphis police supervisor on the scene when Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by officers retired with his benefits the day before a hearing to sack him, according to documents filed to revoke his law enforcement certification.

Lt DeWayne Smith was identified in records obtained by media outlets as the officer that officials said earlier this month had retired before his termination hearing.