Officer Charged In Crash That Killed Stamford Pastor Has Been Fired

STAMFORD, CT — Zachary Lockwood, the police officer charged in the crash that killed the Rev. Tommie Jackson last July, has been fired from the Stamford Police Department, Mayor Caroline Simmons' office confirmed.

"I am aware that Zachary Lockwood has been terminated from his position as an officer with the Stamford Police Department. My thoughts and prayers remain with the Jackson family and all those impacted by this horrific tragedy," said Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons in a statement.

Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw declined to comment on personnel matters.

The Stamford Police Association issued a statement to Patch on Lockwood's firing.

"The SPA is very disappointed with the chief’s decision to terminate Officer Lockwood," the SPA wrote. "We are also saddened by those members of the community who turned this tragic accident into a race issue. We will continue to pray for both families and hope they both get the positive support they need during this time."

On July 26, 2023, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Lockwood was responding to a report of a car crash without injuries on Hope Street and traveling eastbound on Wire Mill Road in a marked, 2017 Explorer Interceptor Utility patrol car, state police said in February.

While en route, Lockwood was advised there was a disturbance involving multiple people at the scene.

Jackson, 69, a Wire Mill Road resident, had just retrieved mail from his mailbox and was attempting to cross the roadway, state police said.

Upon seeing Jackson, Lockwood made "an evasive steering maneuver," causing the police vehicle to enter into the westbound lane, according to police.

While within the westbound lane, the police vehicle collided with Jackson, who was taken to Stamford Hospital where he was pronounced dead, state police said.

State police said Lockwood activated his emergency siren "intermittently" during his response in conjunction with the overhead lights as he traveled along Wire Mill Road, before hitting Jackson.

Investigators determined Lockwood's final activation of his emergency siren occurred 15 seconds before the impact occurred, police said, adding that the vehicle did not meet the elements of an emergency vehicle as defined by state statutes.

Analysis showed Lockwood was driving 65 mph approximately 300 feet before the collision without an audible siren, and 46 mph when the police vehicle collided with Jackson, according to state police.

The posted speed limit on Wire Mill Road is 25 mph.

A member of the SPD since April 2022, Lockwood was placed on administrative after the incident, and he turned himself in on an arrest warrant in February.

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

Last November, Jackson's family filed a lawsuit against the city and Lockwood, claiming the officer was reckless and negligent before the fatal crash.

In March of this year, Lockwood pleaded not guilty to misconduct with a motor vehicle. His next scheduled court date is Sept. 25.

Patch has reached out to the legal representation for Lockwood and Jackson's family for comment