Family and fellow officers attend funeral for LMPD officer killed in I-64 crash

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Family, friends and fellow officers gathered to say goodbye Wednesday morning to Louisville Metro Police officer Zachary Cottongim.

Officer Cottongim was 29 years old when he died Saturday after a car hit him on Interstate 64. He was a seven-year veteran with LMPD and leaves behind a wife and two young sons.

Cottongim's wife and father also work for the department.

Those who served alongside Cottongim and many others gathered to remember him with a funeral at Southeast Christian Church. The service was filled with emotional stories from those who knew him best.

My heart is heavy as I stand here today," LMPD Chief Erika Shields said. "We should not be here."

Shields voiced what many felt for a life cut short.

"To the police here, Zach's legacy will always be that of a cop," she said. "And we have an obligation to keep the profession one of integrity and common decency. It is the least we can do for Zach."

Shields called Cottongim the kind of officer who embodied everything good about policing.

"I believe that, professionally, he was on a path that would have been limitless — no boundaries — in large part because his approach to policing, like life, was positive, forward-thinking. And those are the cops who excel," she said.

Cottongim's wife, Jamie, and his platoon from the First Division were on stage as close family friend and retired LMPD Officer Dave Burns spoke.

"Many adjectives were used to describe Zach: honor, courage, selfless, dedicated, solid," he said

Burns said Cottongim struggled early in his career but eventually found his footing, and he was dedicated to serving others.

"This city and this country have been in a bad way," Burns said. "This 29-year-old hero has given us the blueprint to fix it. And all you have to do is make your corner of the world a better place. Be like Zach."

One story from Burns detailed how Cottongim bought a bus ticket after speaking with a man struggling with addiction. The man wanted to go home to his family and support system.

"Zach doesn't brag about what he does. He's humble," Burns said. "But he also helped this stranger pay for rehab. Rehab is extremely expensive. He ended up going to Dad to borrow money. Dale questioned Zach's decision to spend so much money on a stranger. Zach's response was, 'This guy has nobody in Louisville. If I don't help him, who will?'"

Cottongim was remembered for his devotion not just to his job, but most importantly to his family. That love was on display to the end.

Police chaplain Officer Bobby Lewis told the story of a truck driver who approached Cottongim shortly after the accident that would eventually claim his life.

"And in the pain and agony that Zach was in, this gentleman says, 'I see that you're married, that you have a wife,'" Lewis said. "Zach looked up and in all of his pain, gave a big smile. That's how much he loves you, Jamie. Always remember that."

IMAGES | LMPD honors fallen officer Zachary Cottongim

Cottongim was laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery with nearly 300 cars inside the gates.

Before the procession even left Southeast Christian Church, people started lining up outside the cemetery in the Highlands. At the entrance, a giant American flag hung from two ladder trucks from the Louisville Fire Department.

Just after noon, a procession that included dozens of police cars from across the region escorted the hearse carrying Cottongim's body to his final resting place.

Debra Starks was one of those standing outside the cemetery. She is from southern Indiana but wanted to be there to show her support.

"It's just that I felt that I need to come this morning," she said. "So I thought I'd come across the bridge and pay my support because, you know, there's a lot of good police officers in Indiana. I support them."

As of Wednesday night, the Louisville Metro Police Foundation had raised over $73,500 for Cottongim's family. To donate to the fundraiser, click here.

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