A retired Memphis police officer, who voiced criticism of his former colleagues following the death of Tyre Nichols, has been found dead.
Mark LeSure’s family members discovered his lifeless body, lying face down in his driveway, on Sunday, July 9. Rose LeSure-Jones, LeSure’s aunt, expressed her grief, saying, “He was in the driveway when we arrived, lying face down. No matter the circumstances, he didn’t deserve this. He was a genuinely good man.”
According to court documents, a woman named Shuntae Daniels is accused of stealing from LeSure after he collapsed in his driveway. Daniels reportedly approached LeSure asking for gas money. When LeSure returned from his house, presumably with the money, he collapsed. Daniels confessed to the police that she entered LeSure’s house after his collapse, stole his phone and wallet, rummaged through his pockets, and transferred $1,500 to herself using LeSure’s phone.
Surveillance video recorded Daniels saying, “We are going to see who knows the law.” Daniels is now charged with aggravated burglary, theft of property, and identity theft.
LeSure dedicated 31 years of his life to the Memphis Police Department before retiring. He also served in the US Army as a military police officer. Recently, the 57-year-old officer had returned to school to pursue a master’s degree.
LeSure, along with others, established a nonprofit organization to help young people. In a 2022 interview with WREG, he said he wanted engage neighborhood kids, steer them away from gun violence, and encourage them to read.
LeSure came to public attention earlier this year when he criticized the police following the beating of Tyre Nichols during a routine traffic stop.
The Memphis Police Department faced widespread criticism after releasing body camera footage showing officers chasing Nichols and subsequently kicking and beating him as he pleaded for his mother. The five officers involved in the fatal incident were Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smith. They were dismissed from the department. In February, all five pleaded not guilty to charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated kidnapping.
The investigation into LeSure’s death continues.