A police officer responding to a call struck and killed a well-known church pastor in Stamford, authorities said.
Stamford Police Officer Zachary Lockwood was driving a police department Ford Explorer around a curve on Wire Mill Road, when his vehicle hit Tommie Jackson shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Connecticut State Police accident report.
Investigators say Jackson was crossing the street to get the mail near his home.
Jackson, 69, was a pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church and Faith Tabernacle Church and an assistant director of the Stamford Urban Redevelopment Commission.
Upon observing Jackson, Lockwood, 24, “made an evasive steering maneuver" and hit him, according to the state police, who took over the investigation at the request of the Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office.
Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw said Jackson was taken to Stamford Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons issued a statement of condolence and said Jackson was a personal friend and a “larger-than-life presence who was steadfast in his advocacy for social and racial justice.”
“Rev. Jackson was a pillar in the Stamford community and led a life devoted to faith and public service,” she wrote.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said that Jackson's death was a "gut punch." In a note on Twitter, Blumenthal described Jackson as a "warm, wise, wonderful" community and faith leader and a "tireless and fearless champion of social justice."
Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Nins of First Baptist Church Greenwich said he knew Jackson for 20 years. Nins said Jackson was someone who cared about his community and was a committed social justice advocate.
"He was intentionally impactful in the life of his congregation, in the life of his community, in the life of his colleagues, and certainly in the life of his family," Nins said.
The state police report did not include any details of the call Lockwood was responding to and did not say how fast he was driving. A department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking further information Thursday.
No charges had been filed Thursday.
The officer's union, the Stamford Police Association, posted on Facebook, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by this terrible tragedy.”
A message seeking further comment was left with the union.
Connecticut Public's Eddy Martinez, Matt Dwyer, Eric Aasen, Patrick Skahill and The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story has been updated.
