Police Officer Zachary Cottongim
Louisville Metro Police Department, Kentucky

End of Watch Saturday, December 18, 2021

Police Officer Zachary Cottongim was struck and killed by an automobile as he attended to an abandoned vehicle on the side of I-64 near the Mellwood Avenue exit.

He was standing on the side of the highway when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Officer Cottongim was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Officer Cottongim had served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for seven years.

LMPD hired Cottongim in September 2014. At the time of his death, he was assigned to the First Division, which includes the Portland, Russell and Butchertown neighborhoods.

Cottongim's father, Dale, is also a Louisville police officer and his wife, Jamie, works for the department as a civilian information process technician. Shields also said Saturday that the department is looking for ways to take care of his wife and their two young children.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Patsy and Johnny Shillito, and Betty and Wayne Maggard; and mother-in-law, Kellie McKenzie.

Zach graduated from Edmonson County High School, and went on to receive his degree in Criminal Justice from Daymar College. He was a seven year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and was assigned to the 1st Division. His dad, Dale, is also an LMPD officer, and Zach was so proud to have followed in his dads footsteps in becoming an officer, fulfilling his dream. Zach also proudly served as a PTO (Probationary Training Officer), and aspired to someday work as an LMPD traffic officer. He loved the teamwork within 1st Division, its command staff, and his patrols with his best friend, Shaun Sargent. He was a "tech nerd", enjoyed fishing, and loved playing with his sons.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jamie; sons, Riley and Alexander; father, Dale Cottongim; mother, Pamela Perkins; step-mother, Natalie; father-in-law, Timmy Decker; brothers, Kase Cottongim and Kyton Smith; sisters, Erica Ellis (Jordan), Jessica Jones (Chad), and Ashley McFelia; nephews, Oaklee Ellis and Carson McFelia; and nieces, Remi Ellis and Arieal McFelia.

Police Officer Zachary Cottongim
Louisville Metro Police Department, Kentucky

End of Watch Saturday, December 18, 2021

Police Officer Zachary Cottongim was struck and killed by an automobile as he attended to an abandoned vehicle on the side of I-64 near the Mellwood Avenue exit.

He was standing on the side of the highway when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Officer Cottongim was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Officer Cottongim had served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for seven years.

LMPD hired Cottongim in September 2014. At the time of his death, he was assigned to the First Division, which includes the Portland, Russell and Butchertown neighborhoods.

Cottongim's father, Dale, is also a Louisville police officer and his wife, Jamie, works for the department as a civilian information process technician. Shields also said Saturday that the department is looking for ways to take care of his wife and their two young children.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Patsy and Johnny Shillito, and Betty and Wayne Maggard; and mother-in-law, Kellie McKenzie.

Zach graduated from Edmonson County High School, and went on to receive his degree in Criminal Justice from Daymar College. He was a seven year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and was assigned to the 1st Division. His dad, Dale, is also an LMPD officer, and Zach was so proud to have followed in his dads footsteps in becoming an officer, fulfilling his dream. Zach also proudly served as a PTO (Probationary Training Officer), and aspired to someday work as an LMPD traffic officer. He loved the teamwork within 1st Division, its command staff, and his patrols with his best friend, Shaun Sargent. He was a "tech nerd", enjoyed fishing, and loved playing with his sons.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jamie; sons, Riley and Alexander; father, Dale Cottongim; mother, Pamela Perkins; step-mother, Natalie; father-in-law, Timmy Decker; brothers, Kase Cottongim and Kyton Smith; sisters, Erica Ellis (Jordan), Jessica Jones (Chad), and Ashley McFelia; nephews, Oaklee Ellis and Carson McFelia; and nieces, Remi Ellis and Arieal McFelia.