An investigation is underway into the death of Connecticut pastor Rev. Tommie Jackson who was struck and killed Wednesday (July 26) by a Stamford police officer driving a patrol car. Jackson’s family is demanding answers for the death of the beloved minister who was a pillar in the community.

The Stamford Police Department said in a statement that Officer Zachary Lockwood was driving a marked patrol vehicle when he struck Jackson, 69, at approximately 4:12 p.m. on July 26. Lockwood performed CPR on Jackson until medics arrived, but Jackson succumbed to his injuries at Stamford Hospital.

Lockwood, who joined the department in April 2022, is on administrative leave while the Connecticut State Police investigates the incident, the police said.

“Pastor Tommie Jackson was such a beacon of light for so many in the Stamford community, for [the] past 25 plus years,” the police statement read. “His steadfast commitment to serve those under the guidance of his pastorate, extended far and wide. The void that has been left by his untimely passing will be difficult to fill; only the passage of time will bring comfort and healing.”

CBS New York reports that Jackson was struck near his home while crossing the road after collecting his mail. Accident reconstruction experts working for his family are trying to figure out exactly how this tragedy happened.

"The very people that you rely on to protect you are now responsible for taking the life of one of the leaders of our community, and we want answers. We have more questions now than we have answers," the family’s attorney Darnell Crosland told CBS New York.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and law enforcement officials held a press conference Friday (July 28) but didn’t take any questions, CBS New York reported.

The officials said Lockwood was responding to a call with the police lights activated when he struck Jackson. They expressed condolences for Jackson’s family and said their thoughts were also with the officer.

"What my investigation is telling me is that he possibly was distracted at the time of the accident," Crosland said. "If in fact he was distracted, if in fact, we find out more evidence that leads us to believe that he was at fault, more than an accident, then I'm not sure why we would dim the lights on the focus, which is the victim, which is Reverend Dr. Jackson."

Crosland added that he’s awaiting a copy of the police dashcam video, which is activated when an officer turns on the siren.

Jackson was a pastor at Rehoboth Fellowship Church and Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, as well as Stamford’s assistant director of the Urban Redevelopment Commission, the Stamford Advocate reports.

His wife, Dorye Jackson, is one of five members of the Stamford Police Commission, an advisory board overseeing the police department.

Family members and congregants held a memorial service Sunday (July 30) for the beloved pastor by the water at Boccuzzi Park in Stamford.

“I’ve never felt pain or sadness like this in my life,” Erin Jackson, Tommie Jackson’s daughter, said, according to the Advocate. She added that the “one thing that gives her peace” is her faith that her father “made it” to heaven.

Elected officials have also expressed their condolences.

“Losing Tommie Jackson is a gut punch—a warm, wise, wonderful community & faith leader, a tireless & fearless champion of social justice, & a dear friend. My heart goes out to his family,” Connecticut’s U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal tweeted.