New Details In Fatal Stamford Pedestrian, Police Car Crash

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford police officer who struck and killed the Rev. Tommie Jackson with his police vehicle on July 26 was responding to an unrelated car accident with his emergency lights activated, Connecticut State Police said Friday for the first time, citing preliminary reports.

State police and the Stamford Police Department held a joint news conference at police headquarters in Stamford Friday morning, but did not take any questions during the 10-minute briefing.

State police Lt. Katharine Cummings noted the investigation remains "active, ongoing and still in its infancy stage."

At the request of the Stamford State's Attorney's Office, the state police are handling the investigation into the crash.

Cummings said the state's Western District Major Crime Squad and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad will work in collaboration and conjunction with the SPD over the upcoming weeks "to complete a thorough and accurate investigation."

Investigative steps will include the collection and analysis of evidence from the scene, a review of all police audio and video recordings of the incident, and a complete reconstruction analysis of the collision, Cummings said.

On July 26 at approximately 4:12 p.m., police officer Zachary Lockwood, 24, was responding to a call for service and traveling eastbound on Wire Mill Road in a marked, 2017 Explorer Interceptor Utility patrol car, state police said in a summary report earlier this week.

Jackson, a Wire Mill resident, had just retrieved mail from a mailbox and was attempting to cross the roadway near a curve, state police said.

Upon noticing Jackson, Lockwood "made an evasive steering maneuver" into the westbound lane, but the car collided with Jackson, state police said.

Lockwood performed CPR on Jackson before paramedics arrived, Cummings said Friday. Jackson was taken to Stamford Hospital where he died from his injuries. Lockwood was also taken to the hospital for evaluation, but he was later released.

A member of the SPD since April 2022, Lockwood is currently on administrative leave, a customary protocol during these types of incidents, Cummings said. Lockwood was also offered and is accepting peer support from the SPD.

Officials on Friday offered condolences to the Jackson and Lockwood families and urged patience as the investigation unfolds.

Jackson is being remembered by those who knew him as an advocate for social and racial justice, and a pillar in the community.

He was a pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church in Stamford, and previously at Faith Tabernacle Church. Jackson was also the assistant director of the Stamford Urban Redevelopment Commission, an agency created in 1954 that handles municipal development projects.

Jackson's wife, Dorye, is a member of the Stamford Police Commission.

"Rev. Jackson was a vital member of the Stamford community, and the entire city feels the impact of his passing. I want to share with the people of Stamford that your department has worked, and will continue to work, alongside the state police and the state's Attorney's Office, to determine what happened on Wednesday afternoon," said SPD Police Chief Timothy Shaw on Friday.

"As we grieve the death of Rev. Jackson, I ask our residents to be patient as the investigation continues. I know that these types of investigations may take time and I know all of us look forward to learning about how events unfolded," Shaw added. "Our community is shaken due to this tragic accident."

Asst. Stamford Police Chief Silas Redd said Jackson's death has left the Stamford community "in a state of shock."

"Pastor Jackson was such a beacon of light to so many in this multicultural community for the past 25 years," Redd said. "His steadfast commitment to serve those under the guidance of his pastorate extended far and wide, and he was often times a voice for the voiceless. Pastor Jackson was a friend and partner to us here in the Stamford Police Department. The time we were able to spend with him will be forever cherished."

Redd said many of his family members and friends have had christenings, marriages and homegoing services under Jackson. Redd asked that the public afford the Jackson and Lockwood families privacy "as they grieve and navigate through these most difficult times."

Mayor Caroline Simmons spoke briefly Friday and offered condolences to all affected by Jackson's death.

"He was a larger-than-life figure, someone who had an indelible impact on our community, and someone who touched the lives of so many through his lifelong commitment to faith and public service. We are all mourning together, and I know I'm going to greatly miss his infectious smile, his energy, and his wonderful sense of humor," Simmons said.

Simmons said her office is committed to helping city employees and community members who are grieving get the support they need. She also thanked the cooperation of the state police and the State's Attorney's Office "for making sure this process is committed to transparency and integrity."