The Rocky Mount Police Department is grieving the death of Officer Michael Cotton, a K9 handler and seven-year veteran of the force who was killed in an off-duty ATV crash on Wednesday evening. Cotton, widely regarded inside the department as a rising star, would have celebrated his 30th birthday on June 15.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Rocky Mount Police Department said Cotton died in an off-duty ATV crash on the evening of June 10. The department noted that Wilson County Emergency Services, the Wilson County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina Highway Patrol are assisting with the investigation, a description that was later mirrored in local coverage by ABC11.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have released few specifics about what led up to the crash as the investigative work continues. WRAL reported that Cotton was off-duty at the time, and that the department described him internally as “more than a colleague,” a reflection of how deeply the loss is being felt within the ranks.
K9 Career and Honors
Cotton had served as a K9 officer since 2023 and became the department's first Black K9 handler. His first partner, K9 Forrest, was retired and formally awarded to Cotton by the city in February, according to a memo from the City of Rocky Mount. Earlier this year, Cotton completed training with his second K9 partner, Leo, an explosives-detection dog, as reported by ABC11.
Service and Community Response
According to WRAL, Cotton had been a sworn Rocky Mount officer for seven years and also served in the U.S. military and the Army Reserve. He held an associate degree in Criminal Justice Technology with honors from Nash Community College. Both the department's public statement and local reporting describe Cotton as a dedicated K9 handler whose death has left a noticeable void across the agency.
The Rocky Mount Police Department has requested privacy for Cotton's family while the investigation continues. Officials have not released additional details and have asked that any new information about the crash come directly from law enforcement as the probe moves forward.
