The Stamford police officer involved in a crash that killed a beloved local pastor was recently fired from the police department, according to the Stamford Mayor’s Office.

Former Officer Zachary Lockwood is charged with misconduct with a motor vehicle in the death of the Rev. Tommie Jackson, 69, who was hit by Lockwood as he responded to a minor accident. Lockwood has pleaded not guilty.

“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 Mayor Caroline Simmons.

The decision comes over one year after Jackson’s death, which rocked the community. Last July, Lockwood was in a marked vehicle, heading to a car crash in the city when he drove into Jackson on Wire Mill Road. Jackson had just gone to his mailbox across the street and was walking back to his house at the time.

“It has definitely been truly, truly a trying time,” said his daughter Erin Jackson. “However, this does feel like the right thing. What it does for us is establish liability and feels like there is some level of accountability for what happened.” Lockwood had been on leave since the crash, pending an internal investigation by the department.

The speed limit on Wire Mill Road is 25 mph. State police concluded Lockwood was driving 65 mph 300 feet before he hit Jackson and 46 mph at the time of impact. That was despite being told by dispatch to “Code 1,” which is a non-emergency response with the flow of traffic and no lights or sirens, according to his arrest warrant.

“I believe that the constituents of the city of Stamford will be able to be a little bit safer no longer having him a member of the police force,” Erin Jackson told News 12. “In this particular case, Officer Lockwood violated company policy, department policy,” stated attorney Darnell Crosland, who represents the Jackson family.

Crosland said Lockwood should’ve been fired right away.

“He was directly told to go ‘Code 1.’ He was heard using an explicative, saying ‘F that, I'm going to go Code 3 anyway.’ So that was enough to fire him right there,” Crosland said, adding that he hadn’t been told the reasons for Lockwood’s termination. The Stamford Police Association released a statement saying,

"The SPA is very disappointed with the Chief's decision to terminate Officer Lockwood. 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." Erin Jackson said her feelings aren’t about race.

“This has nothing to do with the color of the officer or the color of my father. It has everything to do with a really bad decision that caused a great, great travesty,” she explained.

News 12 reached out to Lockwood’s attorney for a comment but has not heard back yet.

Lockwood is due back in Milford Superior Court on Sept. 25.

Crosland has filed a motion asking the charge be upgraded from misconduct with a motor vehicle to first degree manslaughter. He also wants a change of venue to Bridgeport. The case was moved to Milford from Stamford Superior Court in March to avoid potential conflicts with the Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office. Crosland said he’s concerned about getting a fair trial in Milford due to lack of racial diversity. He also said going to Milford for court dates is a big inconvenience to the family.