Germantown tavern opens on off-day to raise money for family of fallen LMPD officer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- On Monday, a Louisville restaurant that would normally be closed opened its doors to raise money for an officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department who as killed in the line of duty.

The Tim Tam Tavern at 1022 Clarks Lane, near St. X High School, was crowded just before noon on Monday. Kevin Hulsman, the former owner of the Germantown restaurant, says it's all to raise money for the family of Zachary Cottongim, an LMPD officer who died in a crash on I-64.

"We're doing 'Pizza With a Purpose,' for Officer Cottongim who passed away, we all know,'" Hulsman said. "Our family -- we've known his father, Dale, forever. Since I was little. And so we're giving back. We work with the police foundation. You see the police here -- the community here -- helping out.

"And we're going to go until 7, barring we still have pizza dough -- and supplies -- still left," Hulsman said.

Even with a limited menu, the amount of participation quickly exceeded all expectations. According to the tavern's Facebook page, they had to stop taking orders at 5 p.m. due to demand.

By the end of the day, the local restaurant had raised $6,189 for the Cottongim family — $1,964 was donations made by customers, according to the restaurant.

"We had people here before we opened up and currently have about a two hour wait...the volume is just overwhelming," said Clem Russell, the current owner of Tim Tam on behalf of the American Legion Highland Post 201.

Hulsman said this loss is especially difficult, because it's personal.

"We've helped out other officers before when they've had a fallen officer, things like that -- but when someone you actually know, it's a little bit harder," he said. "You know, we did our visitation, paid our support to the family, now we're helping back every other way we can."

All of the proceeds from Monday's sales will go directly to the Cottongim family, Hulsman said.

"That's the best part about it is we're able to get our product out to people and be worth a good cause."

The overwhelming show of support came from not only fellow LMPD members, but the community as a whole.

"It's very tragic this time of year, any time of year, for a police officer to pass. And one with a family of two small children is heart wrenching. So, we're here to support anything we can do to help," said Mark Blankenbaker, who stopped in for a meal.

"You know, our profession - it's been rough in the last few years. So to see civilians come out and show support and show that they still have our have our backs and support us - it's just huge. It's awesome. We're real thankful," said LMPD Sixth Division Resource Officer Jaron Skillman.

The community came together for a family in their time of grief, and to honor Officer Cottongim's service and sacrifice.

"I hope it brings them a little joy to see the outpouring of the community, to see what were able to do for them today," said Russell.

LMPD First Division officer Zachary Cottongim was hit by a vehicle after police say a driver lost control just after 10 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 18. He was outside of his police cruiser "conducting an investigation of a vehicle" on I-64 West at Mellwood Avenue, when he was hit.

LMPD spokesman Aaron Ellis said in a statement to WDRB last week that "as of this time, no charges are expected in this incident."

Zachary Cottongim with wife.jpg — Zachary Cottongim and his wife Jamie. (Courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation)

Cottongim, 29, died at University of Louisville Hospital hours after the crash. He was laid to rest with full honors at the historic Cave Hill Cemetery in the Highlands on Wednesday.

"The facts of the incident are still being determined by the LMPD Traffic. According to the lead investigator, Ofc. Cottongim had a self-initiated run on a wrecked vehicle from a previous incident at that location the night before," Ellis said in the statement.

Initial reports that the accident was a "hit and run" were corrected by LMPD after the crash. The department has not given details about the driver or the circumstances of what happened.