Roll of Honor
Incident
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. He is survived by his wife, two children, father, mother, two brothers, and three sisters. His father also serves with the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, father, mother, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-FCE4ECCD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Zachary. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Cottongim gave the Louisville Metro Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cottongim.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Zachary Dale Cottongim is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 161 of 983 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 16.4% of this state's fallen. That is 14.6 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Louisville Metro Police Department, 2 of 6 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Zachary Dale Cottongim's cause is highlighted.
How Zachary Dale Cottongim Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Zachary Dale Cottongim is highlighted in Dec.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Louisville Metro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
