The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
They washed cars. Sold hot dogs and hamburgers. Prayed and preached.
Friends and family of Michael Knockett, the homeless man run over and killed at the Oceanfront on June 28 by a Virginia Beach city trash truck, held a rally Saturday to raise awareness about his death.
Pastor Deshawn Tatem was raised by Knockett and said the purpose of the event, called "Triumph Out of Tragedy Benefit Tour," was to keep his father's life - and death - in the community's mind.
Tatem said about 100 people stopped by the Yahshua Ministries Community Center in the Campostella Crossing shopping center parking lot to show their support. The event included a DJ and gospel music that blared through speakers.
Proceeds will go toward opening a transition shelter and community center in Knockett's honor, the minister said. The center is in the same strip mall as the 4-year-old church, which Tatem said he's been renovating.
Last week, Knockett's family was told that Virginia Beach can't be held legally responsible for his death because the driver of the truck, Heather Boyd, was doing government business at the time of the incident. That legal argument is known as sovereign immunity and is based on the idea that governmental entities and their employees are in some cases protected from being sued by injured people or their families.
Tatem said he's not looking for a cash handout. He said he wants the city to take responsibility for his father's death.
"My goal," he said, "is to stand up for people like my dad that the city is not protecting."
Church member Theodore Weir owns a small car washing and detailing business and put his skills to use during Saturday's rally. He said he felt compelled to help out because he wanted to fight for what he called a worthwhile cause. He said Knockett could've been anyone's father, even his own.
"What if this was Bill Gates? What if it was the president?" Weir said. "Would they take it that lightly? I don't think they would."
Tatem said he plans to have more rallies and another protest at the Oceanfront later this summer. He said he doesn't want his father's legacy to be about his death and homelessness. He said Knockett, who wasn't his biological father, was a good man who taught him how to read the Bible and helped him build his self-esteem.
"Hopefully," Tatem said, "we can keep it going until we get the national media coverage we need."
Jennifer Jiggetts, (757) 222-5150, jennifer.jiggetts@pilotonline.com
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Photo opportunity
The "Family" are utilzing the media to come to his "Rescue" as to the facts that they did not care enough about him to take him in, instead of letting him be homeless on the beach. Its amazing that when somebody is killed by what ever means, the victim is always turning his/her life around, he was going to church, going fising with grandfather, etc.... The fact is they really don't care, they are just getting their 60 seconds of media sensation... Heck they are probably not even related to the "victim".
It's sad to see Va Beach's ill fated backwater attempt at
sweeping all this under the rug. It's going to speak badly for their police dept.(what else is new ?) their politics, and the culture whithin this employee's city held job.
I don't understand why VB didn't man up on this, file charges and settle. They are looking like imbeciles who will be doubling their payout at the taxpayers expence.
Did they leave Knockett's family any other choice but to seek their own justice ? Who else was going to do it ? Not the dimwitted Harvey Bryant who will be looking for a new occupation in a couple of years.
Expect to see this debacle played out on the national stage before it's all over with. You can't get away with this crap in America.
Can't judge a book by it's cover
This has been said before when this story first broke... There are some homeless people who don't want help and prefer to remain that way. If he didn't want to be found, then, he remained "hidden". The sadest part is that someone who, obviously, shouldn't have been driving a City truck was driving and someone lost his life as a tragic result. Any monies that may come out of this horrible event should be given to any area homeless charities or ministries so that others can be helped. (That is to say, those that "want" to be helped.)Don't forget the ole' "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink". We don't know the whole family story and we have no right to judge them without the information necessary to make that judgement. It looks to me like the son is doing something at this time to help with his father's memory.
Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and just hope this never happens again. I do, however, agree with those of you who say the driver must answer for her part in what happened and, again, only she and God knows what truly happened that day. I am sure she is going through a pretty horrific time herself right now.
Think about it
Some of these comments amaze me. What happened here has NOTHING to do with being homeless. First, the family, whether they did or didn’t attempt to help the victim, is only know by the family and the victim Mr. Knockett. Unfortunately, Mr. Knockett will never be able to tell us.
But why do some think that the family should not seek any legal remedies? Should they just forget it? Would some then accuse the family of not caring enough to take action? If this were a relative of mine, who died under these circumstances, I couldn’t forget it. I would do everything possible, to not let their death be in vain. The only rational options that one has are through the legal system. This tragedy affects us all. This could have been any of us, a friend or family member.
Why do some say that the city is not responsible? The city knew or should have known about the driving record of Ms. Boyd. Yet, they still put her behind the wheel of a large truck to drive in a public place.
What also amazes me is why there was ever a Revolutionary War fought. In my opinion, according to the attempted use of the law in this matter, England must still rule in Virginia…or least when
Re-enactment
I wonder if the City of Virginia Beach would issue a permit so that I might stage a re-enactment of the murder. It would show how much time you have driving at 2-3 mph before you drove over a chair. One minute. Two minutes? Then post it on You Tube as the "Murder by the City of Virginia Beach."
They would love that. I guessing they wouldn't allow the permit to hire a dump truck and drive over a chair.....
So if a City vehicle kills a citizen of Virginia Beach, that is OK? Does it matter if it is a child, man, women, homeless, employed, student, black, white? Does it make a difference to the City that he was homeless?
Enough about the family
Has it occurred to any of you saints that maybe it was Mr. Knockett who turned his back on his family and not the other way around? The question is less about his family, his friends, his former co-workers, his first girlfriend, his gym teacher or anyone else who has absolutely no control over a 52 year old man and more about why no one is being held accountable. If you have followed the story at all, you should be asking the same question. Not only does the driver have a questionable driving record, but that she was frequently busy texting and posting to Facebook - while on city time.
Do you really know?
People are wondering where the family was while the guy was still alive, yet homeless.
The pastor that held the rally was not Knockett's biological child, but someone who he apparently took under his wing, and viewed as a son.
My husband and I have taken a child who is not biologically ours under our wing, since his mother has been homeless and/or addicted (or incarcerated) for the last 12 years.
She makes those decisions for herself. She is related to us, and we love her, but have to protect "her" child, and our own from the fallout of such destructive behavior. She has been homeless, but there's only so much you can do for a person that won't help themselves as well.
Regardless, if she were to get run over by a truck on the beach, and the city claimed no responsibility, AND I found out that the person had a RIDICULOUS driving record, I would certainly be demanding some answers.
While alive, Knockett meant something to these people, and I think it's sad that people are jumping to such conclusions without knowing the family personally.
Raising Awareness
Maybe I'm missing something here...but, where was this family when this poor man was homeless and sleeping on the beach? Why were they not rallying together before he died to help him get off the streets. Something doesn't ring true about this family's intentions....Sorry, but why should the city of Virginia Beach pay out money to this family. There's no negligence except maybe on the part of his family for not pulling together and helping this man with his needs before his death. Very sad situation all the way around, but let's not start placing blame for something that was not the City's fault.
Reply to stargazer10
The CITY hired the driver, Ms. Boyd. The CITY knew or should have known her driving record. Even with this knowledge, the city put Ms. Boyd in a job position, driving a LARGE garbage truck in public areas.
According to the article, Mr. Knockett, who was sleeping in a beach chair on the beach, was ran over and killed by the garbage truck being driven by Ms. Boyd.
Yes, it was the driver who actually ran over Mr. Knockett. But she was in that position because that is where the city put her! Mr. Knockett’s being homeless, or any issues regarding his family, has nothing to do with this. In my opinion, this could have happened to anyone!!!
yup!!!
Couldn't of said it better myself. Where was all of the family support when he was living and sleeping outdoors and homeless??