A Louisville Metro Police officer killed in the line of duty was honored on Monday.Twenty-nine-year-old Zachary Cottongim was hit and killed in December while responding to an abandoned car on Interstate 64."He was a shining example of what a police officer should be," Sen. Gerald Neal said. On Monday afternoon, Mayor Greg Fischer, LMPD Chief of Police Erika Shields, members of the Louisville Metro Council and Kentucky state lawmakers gathered to honor Cottongim's legacy."Its a recognition of so many things," Mayor Fischer said. "Not just him as a police officer and the dedication to the line of duty but those that worked with him, that came to the service from all over the country, all over the different interstates, from north to south and east to west. This sign is part of Zach's ongoing watch."Cottongim's funeral: Fallen LMPD officer laid to rest surrounded by loved ones, fellow officersA portion of Interstate 64 between the Story Avenue overpass and Grinstead Drive overpass will be renamed in Cottongim's honor."It's without a doubt in my mind that he truly made a difference with the people that we encountered daily and that's truly what this profession is about," Cottongim's best friend Shaun Sargeant said. "Impacting people. Things will never be the same. He was truly a great man and it was an honor to not only call him the best beat partner I ever had but my best friend."The memorial sign was unveiled with leaders as well as Cottongim's family. "This memorial sign does two things," Brandon Lincoln with the River City FOP said. "It reminds each and every one of us everyday that wear this uniform how dangerous this job is. It also reminds us - no run is just an easy run. Bad things can happen at a moment's notice."Cottongim was a seven-year veteran of the LMPD and left behind a wife and two young sons. The signage is set to be mounted by the end of the week. Related story: