LMPD officer Zachary Cottongim laid to rest

Burial service at Cave Hill Cemetery begins

Hundreds of police officers and loved ones arrived shortly before 1 p.m. for the burial service of Officer Zach Cottongim .

The husband and father will be laid to rest at the cemetery days before the Christmas holiday.

"We pray that he will rest in peace and God will take care of him from this point forward," LMPD Officer Bobby Lewis said in his opening of the service.

Following the "13-Fold" ceremony and Chief Erika Shields presenting Cottongim's wife with the United States flag, the final dispatch to his badge number was made at 1:28.

"Officer Zachary Cottongim served the Louisville Metro Police Department and citizens of Louisville with honor, integrity and distinction," the dispatcher said.

Procession for interment begins

About 11:15 the funeral service for Cottongim concluded with final words from fellow Officer Bobby Lewis.

Starting at Southeast Christian Church, the procession will take a right on Blankenbaker Parkway to Interstate 64 West and take Exit 8 at Grinstead Drive.

From there, the procession will take a left on Grinstead Drive and enter through Cave Hill's main entrance on Cave Hill Road.

'Not by blood, but by choice'

Standing on stage with Cottongim's wife and several officers from his division, retired Sgt. Dave Burns told a story about his time in Desert Storm, where he served with Cottongim's dad, Dale.

"Like many soldiers we made a pact that day that if anything were to happen, that we would take care of each other's families," Burns recalled. "That day we became brothers. I'm certain that many of the officers here have made that same pact with their brothers and sisters, and probably have done it with more than one.

"It's their brothers and their sisters, not by blood, but by choice."

Becoming a police officer, Burns explained, is a calling. Despite Zach Cottongim's dad urging him to consider other options, such as going into IT, his son couldn't be deterred.

"As Zach got older, he set his sights on becoming a police officer. It was his dream job. He wanted to follow in his hero's footsteps, his father Dale," Burns said.

The younger Cottongim read books on police tactics, did ride-alongs with officers, got a degree in criminal justice and got accepted into the academy.

Burns shared stories about Zach Cottongim's childhood, including the way he mispronounced his big sister Erica's name, adding in an unnecessary 'W' that he never got rid of. Zach's boys now pronounce their aunt's name the same way.

Fast-forward to Cottongim's graduation from the academy in 2015, Burns said it was a day he will never forget.

“The look of pride on Zach and Dale’s face — the way they looked at each other — it was just priceless," he said. "It was another bond in their relationship. It was a terrific moment.”

The beginning of his career as an officer did not go smoothly, Burns said. It was a hard transition for him, "but Zach wasn't going to give up. He wasn't going to make excuses and he wasn't going to blame anyone. He put his heart and soul into improving."

He was described by his colleagues as a solid officer with honor and courage, who was selfless and dedicated.

Despite his commitment to the job, what mattered most to Cottongim was his family, Burns said.

"It was obvious that Zach and Jamie were meant for each other," he said. "Even after years of marriage and two kids, they acted like a couple of love-struck teenagers."

"Part of his character was absolutely influenced by you," he said to Jamie. "You were his rock."

A question that he cannot answer is why this unfortunate accident took Cottongim, Burns continued. Rather than provide an explanation, he offered a suggestion, "on how we can proceed, how we can honor him.

"He made his little corner of the world better so if you want to honor him, if you want to remember him, then let's imitate him," Burns said. "Be like Zach. If you see a person in need ... help them. Be like Zach.

"If you are failing at something … don’t make excuses, don’t point to other people and blame them. Clear that obstacle. Be like Zach. If you’re a parent, spend dedicated time with your children. Create that bond. Create traditions that instill servitude and gratitude. Be like Zach."

Pointing to the many pockets of pain the country is enduring, Burns said it can be fixed by following in Cottongim's footsteps.

"This city and this country has been in a bad way. 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."

'A hero'

"I know in the moment your future must seem overwhelming and daunting and that’s OK,' LMPD Chief Erika Shields said to Cottongim's wife, Jamie. "My faith allows me to say with absolute conviction that you would not have been handed something you cannot handle.

"You and your children will always be a part of the police family and not just the LMPD police family, but in every part and every corner of the United States."

To the hundreds of law enforcement officials at the service, Shields said, "We don’t do everything right in our profession, which is well documented, but our shared vulnerabilities have allowed us to know how to embrace our heroes and Zach, Zach is absolutely a hero."

'Remember two things today'

Pastor Greg Allen opened the service for Louisville Metro Police Officer Zachary Cottongim just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, urging those in the crowd to remember two things.

"It will do us all good to do two things today — to remember Zach and to remember hope," Allen said.

"To Jamie, I am sorry that you have lost your husband," he continued. "I want to say to Riley and Alexander that I am sorry that you have lost your daddy."

After just seven years serving LMPD, Cottongim's badge number shouldn't have ended its tour, Allen said. The accident on Interstate 64 that happened Saturday, shouldn't have happened.

Background

Cottongim died in the line of duty Saturday after being hit by a westbound driver who had lost control of their vehicle on I-64, LMPD spokeswoman Officer Elizabeth Ruoff said.

Three vehicles were involved in the crash. Ruoff said the incident was not a hit-and-run and said the department’s traffic unit is investigating “all variables."

After the collision, Cottongim underwent multiple surgeries at the University of Louisville Hospital but died due to his injuries shortly after 9 p.m.

Cottongim followed in his father's footsteps in becoming an LMPD officer. He was a graduate of Edmonson County High and received his degree in criminal justice from Daymar College, according to his obituary.

Read his obituary here.

He was assigned to the 1st Division and also served as a probationary training officer. He hoped to eventually work as a 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," the obituary states.

To honor his memory, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer ordered flags on Metro Government buildings to remain at half-staff through Wednesday. Additionally, the Waterfront Development Corp. will light the Big Four Bridge in blue through Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the Louisville Metro Police Foundation at www.saferlouisville.org.

Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Watch burial service for fallen Louisville officer Zachary Cottongim