Rev. Al Sharpton says the guilty plea of one of the former Memphis policemen accused in the killing of Tyre Nichols is one more serious move toward getting justice for his family.

On Thursday (Nov. 2) Desmond Mills, Jr., admitted to “one count of deprivation of rights under color of law after using excessive force and failing to intervene and one count of witness tampering,” in connection with an attempted cover-up of the fatal beating of Nichols at the hands of police on Jan.7. After an internal investigation, each officer involved in the fatal incident was fired from the police department.

In September, Mills and the other four officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, and Justin Smith, pleaded not guilty to numerous charges relating to Nichols’ death.

Sharpton, the founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN), who gave the eulogy at Nichols’ funeral in Memphis in February, issued a statement Thursday that Mills’ guilty plea is a step in the right direction for justice for Nichols’ family who endured an unthinkable tragedy.

“Today marks another major step in the long road toward justice for Tyre and his family. We must remember that our journey is far from over because this officer was not the lone culprit in this heinous killing,” Sharpton’s statement read. “Tyre was the victim of a police department culture that clearly celebrated brutality, where officers were hammers and every civilian looked like a nail. That’s why it was so important the SCORPION squad was disbanded, and the Justice Department answered our call to turn over every stone when looking at their practices and procedures."

Also in the statement, Sharpton urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which would end “no-knock warrants” and the use of deadly force would be the resort.

“But as I noted in Tyre’s eulogy, these unnecessary killings will only continue so long as bad actors are covered by qualified immunity. Cops who want to break the public trust will only think twice once they realize their job, their pension, or their house is on the line,” Sharpton wrote. “We need Congress to do right by these victims and prevent future tragedy by finally passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”

In addition to his guilty plea, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office said that Mills has agreed to be a cooperating witness in state and federal investigations.

"His cooperation will help us bring to justice all those criminally responsible while also identifying needs for systemic reform within the police department," said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy in a statement Thursday.

In response to the guilty plea, RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother said "This is just one of many that will come in our favor."

A federal trial is scheduled on May 6, 2024, for the remaining defendants.

If found guilty, each defendant could serve up to 15 years in prison.