On April 25, 2021, Raymond Jackson, a father, husband, and Rockford community member, was driving with his 12 year old and 2 year old daughters. A separate driver who was being pursued by Rockford Police SCOPE officers for undisclosed reasons, entered the same roadway. Officers attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle using stop sticks but were unsuccessful and continued the pursuit.
About a mile later the chase ended when the suspect crashed into Raymond Jackson’s vehicle, killing him and injuring his daughters. The family has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that officers’ reckless conduct led to the crash.
This incident was the 25th case investigated and deemed justified by the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force, the 5th deadly force incident of the 2020s, the 3rd in 2021, and the 14th since Tom McNamara took office.