Officer Nick Kott stands with his son, Jack.
By: Gena Johnson | Warren Weekly | Published December 9, 2024
WARREN — A Warren police officer left in critical condition after a hunting accident is now fighting for his life. His wife spoke at the department’s press conference Nov. 22 to enlist help from the community.
Officer Nick Kott, 44, broke his neck when he fell out of a tree stand while hunting Nov. 16. As of Nov. 22, according to his wife, Holli Kott, he had no feeling from the neck down. He is on a ventilator and had just begun to mouth words while in the hospital’s neurological intensive care unit.
“Nick is a passionate hunter,” Holli Kott said. “It’s his favorite thing to do.”
Kott is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and hockey, and loves spending time with his best friend — their son, Jack.
“Please, I’m asking for your prayers, most of all because I know that he’s going to be a miracle man and he’s going to come out of this, but it’s going to be a very, very, very long road. And I need community help and support,” Holli Kott said.
Kott was hunting in Gladwin when he fell to the ground and landed on his back. He remained there for a few hours because his family was not expecting him back until after dark. When it was past the time they were expecting him to return, his father called a neighbor. The two of them found Kott on his back near the tree stand that he said he would be hunting in.
“I know for a fact that (by) him telling my father-in-law what tree stand (that) he was going to saved his life,” Holli Kott said.
Kott was transported to a Midland hospital and then airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor due to the severity of his condition.
“I just need the prayer that Nick can get his hands and his arms and his shoulders working so he can play with his son. That is the most specific prayer that you can pray for me and for Nick and for Jack,” Holli Kott said.
Nick and Holly met as neighbors because their dogs liked to play with each other. The Kotts still live on that street, which is among the reasons their home is so special to them.
Their two-story house will need lots of renovations if Kott is to come home, Holli Kott said.
“The No. 1 thing I want Nick to be able to do is to tuck in his best friend at night,” Holli Kott said about the special relationship the father and son have.
She has referred to this experience as a “nightmare” but is so thankful for the wonderful support she has received from the first responders, Kott’s medical team, her son’s teachers, the Warren Police Department, police departments from surrounding communities, and all those who have offered prayers and support.
When she mentioned to a Warren police officer that her son’s swing was broken, “He was over there in two hours and had it fixed.”
Another group is coming to clean the gutters for the fall clean-up, which is work that Kott would always do.
Holli Kott is a schoolteacher and proud of the fact that she and her husband are public servants. She needs the help of the public for her husband to receive the medical care needed.
A GoFundMe effort has been started on her behalf by Keith Chambers, a family member.
“We’d like to ensure Nick is able to be provided with the best possible care for as long as he will need, and that Holli and Jack do not experience hardship so that they can devote their full attention to Nick and shower him with all of the love and support he will need during his recovery,” Chambers stated on the GoFundMe page at gofund.me/6fa96708.
“If you feel inclined to help, but would feel more comfortable giving directly to Holli, her Venmo is @Holli-Kott,” Chambers said. “We thank you in advance for your love, support and most of all your prayer!”
Donations will also be accepted through the Warren Police Benevolent Fund.
Kott has been with the Warren Police Department for 13 years.
Lt. John Gajewski said Kott served as a training officer and that he is “liked by everybody.”
“As police we are really good at responding to other people’s emergencies, and it’s a gut check when it’s one of your own. And this is an emergency,” Gajewski said.