A prominent pastor in western Connecticut, known for his community revitalization work, has died after being struck by a police cruiser outside his home.
On Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Tommie Jackson, 69, had crossed the street to retrieve his mail when a Stamford Police Department cruiser was racing to the scene of an accident. Officer Zachary Lockwood, driving the cruiser, “made an evasive steering maneuver” when he saw the pedestrian, but still struck Jackson, according to a Friday press conference.
Lockwood reportedly performed CPR on Jackson until medics arrived. The pastor was transported to Stamford Hospital and succumbed to his injuries, pronounced dead that evening. Stamford police told local media that Officer Lockwood, who has been with the department since April 2022, was placed on administrative leave pending results of an investigation.
Jackson served as pastor of Rehoboth Fellowship Church in Stamford, which he founded in 2017. Prior to that, he was pastor of Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, an historically Black church founded in 1946. Jackson pastored there for two decades, starting in 1997.
Jackson’s wife, Dorye, who serves as vice chair of the Stamford Police Commission, said the family is asking for prayers. The couple has two daughters.
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In addition to his ministerial role, Tommie Jackson served for a decade as assistant director of the city’s Urban Redevelopment Commission, a public-private partnership to revitalize the community.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons called Jackson a friend and pillar in the community who “led a life devoted to faith and public service.” She added: “He was a larger-than-life presence who was steadfast in his advocacy for social and racial justice and touched the lives of so many through his work.”
Congressman Jim Himes, who represents the district which includes Stamford, stated that he was “heartbroken” to hear of Jackson’s tragic passing. “A giant in the Stamford community, Tommie brought joy to everyone he met. He will be sorely missed.”
Assistant Police Chief Silas Redd noted that Jackson served as a spiritual advisor to the local police department for years.
“Pastor Tommie Jackson was such a beacon of light for so many in the Stamford community, for the past 25-plus years,” said Redd in a statement. “His steadfast commitment to serve those under the guidance of his pastorate extended far and wide.”
Parishioner Deedee King, who said Jackson had been her “awesome pastor” since childhood, memorialized him in a Facebook post. “Yesterday was a shock,” she wrote. “He was always friendly and if you saw him anywhere, best believe he will say hi and give advice.”
Rev. Johnny Golden of New Unity Baptist Church in Baltimore, Md., stated in a Facebook post that he knew Jackson since 1985 and called his friend a man of vision who “changed the world.”
“In that land of evermore, one bright morning we shall meet again,” wrote Golden. “Until such time, thank you for the bright light and amazing trail of love, friendship, and leadership you ignited and blazed for so many of us on this side of glory!”
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.
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3 Responses
This is truly a heartbreaking loss for this community. It makes me wonder what went wrong. Did officer have sirens and lights on? Why didn’t this dear man see and hear them?
It does not matter if lights and sirens were activated. The police officer (along with fire department), must drive with due regard, are responsible for following all traffic laws (especially at pedestrian crosswalks, intersections with stop signs/stop lights), and proper speed management in residential areas. It is real easy for a police officer to out drive their lights/sirens, rendering them ineffective in warning pedestrians/drivers. Lights and sirens do not allow a police officer to drive however they want to, without any repercussions for any deaths, injuries, or vehicle accidents they are at fault for causing.
“…chary Lockwood, driving the cruiser, “made an evasive steering maneuver” when he saw the pedestrian, but still struck Jackson, according to a Friday press conference.”
Sounds like he was driving too fast, to avoid someone crossing the street, or took a corner too fast to avoid the curb area. It will be interesting to see if the PD makes the car video/black box (speed of travel at the time of impact) info available to the public.
My very age…I too have been a long-time pastor, serving in the Oxford Hills Community here in Maine. My prayers and sadness go out to all whose who knew and loved that Pastor. In the past, we have even had speakers come up from Stamford, to speak at our church here in Oxford.