For years, Memphis has made headlines for its crime rate. But a new report from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission tells another important part of our story: Crime is declining significantly, and in several categories, Memphis is seeing its lowest crime rates in decades.
At the Shelby County DA’s Office, our work is centered on pursuing justice, holding people accountable, and helping build a safer community. That's why the latest findings are particularly encouraging. They reflect progress toward a goal that our office, law enforcement partners, and community members share: a safer Shelby County.
The Crime Commission's Safe Community Action Plan 2025 Comparison Cities Report looked at crime trends in Memphis compared to Tennessee, the nation, and 25 large cities with some of the highest crime rates.
And there's a lot of good news.
From 2024 to 2025, Memphis saw a 26.1% drop in its violent crime rate. Compared to 2023, violent crime was down 29.2%. Both declines outpaced those in Tennessee and across the country.
Property crime numbers are also moving in the right direction.
In 2025, Memphis recorded its lowest robbery, burglary, and overall property crime rates in at least 40 years. Property crime fell 28% in just one year and 42.3% compared to 2023.
Think about that. Those crime rates are lower than at any other point since at least 1985.
The report also found that Memphis had one of the largest declines in violent crime among the cities studied, along with the second-largest decline in property crime. Shelby County had the third-largest decline in property crime.
That's real progress, and it's worth recognizing.
Now, does that mean we've solved our crime problem? Of course not. Memphis still has the highest violent crime rate among the cities examined in the report. We know there's more work to do, and we aren't losing sight of that.
Progress doesn't mean our work is finished. It means we have reason to keep pushing forward, because what we are doing has been working.
No single office or agency can take credit for these reductions. Public safety takes all of us, from prosecutors and law enforcement to community organizations and the people who call Shelby County home.
Our office will continue doing its part: holding people accountable for serious crimes, pursuing justice fairly, and working with our partners to make our neighborhoods safer.
The numbers tell us we're moving in the right direction. Now we all have to work to keep that momentum going.
Jury Finds Man Guilty as Charged of First-Degree Murder: Assistant District Attorneys Brian Neely and Dan Buchanan successfully prosecuted the case against Alfred Draper, whom a jury found guilty as charged of First-Degree Murder. More than three witnesses testified during the trial, including the case officer.
The case stemmed from an assault in South Memphis, where Draper beat 46-year-old Shanqualus Morgan with a pole and left him in a grassy field near Rayburn Street. Officers found Morgan unresponsive and transported him to Regional One Health in critical condition. He died days later from head trauma.
ADAs Brian Neely & Dan Buchanan handled the case.
Jury Finds Man Guilty of First-Degree Murder: A jury found Khiry Hill guilty as charged of First-Degree Murder in the shooting death of Maurice Robertson. Assistant District Attorneys Devon Dennis and Jen Morris successfully prosecuted the case. More than four witnesses testified, including the case officer.
The case involved an ongoing dispute between Hill and Robertson. Investigators presented evidence that Hill threatened to kill Robertson before Robertson was fatally shot. Surveillance footage and witness statements helped investigators identify Hill as the suspect.
ADAs Devon Dennis & Jen Morris handled the case.
Jury Convicts Man of Aggravated Assault in Popeye’s Incident: Assistant District Attorneys Dijahanua Jones and Laurae Caruth successfully prosecuted the case against Garrett Rogers, whom a jury found guilty of Aggravated Assault after deliberating for less than 30 minutes. More than four witnesses testified during the trial.
The case stems from an incident at a Popeye’s drive-thru in Collierville, where Rogers allegedly became irate while ordering food. An employee reported that Rogers exited his vehicle holding a handgun and pointed it sideways at her, prompting her to warn coworkers to get down and call 911.
Investigators identified Rogers through the vehicle’s license plate information and surveillance footage. During questioning, Rogers admitted he was at the restaurant and had a verbal exchange with the employee. He also acknowledged owning a handgun with an extended magazine.
ADAs Dijahanua Jones & Laurae Caruth handled the case.
SCDAG to Host Justice on the Ballot Voter Education Event
 The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office will host Justice on the Ballot on Monday, October 26, at the Frayser Connect Center. The voter education event will provide residents with information about local, state and constitutional items on the ballot, explain proposed measures, share polling locations and important dates, and offer an opportunity for questions.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The Frayser Connect Center is located at 1635 Georgian Drive in Memphis.
To learn more about the various state and local referendums on the ballot, click here.
DA Mulroy to Participate in Crime Commission Community Town Hall
  DA Mulroy will join community leaders and key stakeholders for the Crime Commission Community Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, October 24, at New Salem Baptist Church in Memphis. The discussion will focus on student truancy, chronic absenteeism, juvenile crime and strategies to address challenges facing young people as the Crime Commission develops its new five-year Safe Community Action Plan.
Event Details: Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at New Salem Baptist Church, 2237 S. Parkway E., Memphis, TN 38114.
SCDAG to Participate in Juvenile Court Trunk or Treat
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office will participate in the Juvenile Court Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community event will take place at 616 Adams Ave. in Memphis, in the parking lot on Washington Avenue.
SCDAG Staff Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
 The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote awareness and emphasize the importance of early detection. The office encourages community members to talk with their health care providers about personal risk factors, recommended screenings and any unusual changes in breast health. Sharing information and supporting those affected by breast cancer can help strengthen awareness throughout our community.
ADA Errol Harmon Represents SCDAG at Citywide Day of Prayer
 Assistant District Attorney Errol Harmon represented the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and spoke at the Citywide Day of Prayer at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. The gathering brought community members together for prayer and reflection.
SCDAG Prosecutors and Investigators Attend Statewide Fall Conference
 Last week DA Mulroy joined prosecutors and criminal investigators from the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office at the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference’s Fall Conference. The conference brought together legal professionals from across the state for required continuing education and training.
"Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths. It often appears in other drugs unlabeled, so people don't even realize what they're taking. Hats off to the DTF for preventing distribution of this poison.” - Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy |Passenger apologizes to agents after random search at Greyhound bus stop yields 2.2 pounds of fentanyl| via WREG 3
Blake Rhea, a locally acclaimed bassist, was killed outside a bar in Memphis, Tenn., at 1 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2024, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release. Edward “Eddie” Wurl was convicted of murdering Rhea, whom he followed to his car before shooting and stabbing him, according to prosecutors...A jury deliberated for just eight minutes before convicting Wurl of first-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, the DA’s office said in its release. He is set to be sentenced at a later date. |Man Repeatedly Viewed Tenn. Musician’s Facebook Profile for Months Before Killing Him Outside Bar| via People Magazine
While watching, Action News 5 asked Election Commissioner Linda Phillips about comments from District Attorney Steve Mulroy encouraging voters to use hand-marked paper ballots over the machines and calling them less vulnerable. |Shelby County Election Commission guarantees voting security| via WMC 5
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