Rocky Mount police officer, veteran killed in ATV accident
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCT) -- Officer Michael Cotton, of the Rocky Mount Police Department, passed away in an off-duty ATV accident in the evening hours on June 10th. He served in the United States Military and the Army Reserve for numerous years, while simultaneously serving the Rocky Mount community as a sworn law enforcement officer for 7 years. He had been a K9 officer since 2023. He truly had a passion for law enforcement and for working alongside his K9 partners. Officer Cotton’s first K9, FORREST, retired and was awarded to him by the city council, and is now a part of Officer Cotton's immediate family. Officer Cotton had a milestone in his career when he became the agencies 1st African American K9 handler. In February 2026, he successfully completed the rigorous training program with his second K9, LEO, an Explosive Detection K9. Officer Cotton holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice Technology honors from Nash Community College. Officer Cotton would have celebrated his 30th birthday on June 15th.
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