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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
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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
The Sacrifice · Accident
Louisville Metro Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Zachary is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Zachary is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Zachary is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 2 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 2021, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2021, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Zachary was 29. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Zachary had served 7.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Zachary was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Zachary had served 7.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Zachary was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Zachary had served 7.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Louisville Metro Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Louisville Metro Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Zachary among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Louisville Metro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
