Picture a Maine police lieutenant spinning tales from the beat with the wit of a stand-up comic—meet Timothy A. Cotton! A detective with the Bangor Police Department, Cotton stumbled into literary stardom with his 2020 debut, The Detective in the Dooryard. His knack for turning mundane police reports into laugh-out-loud stories has won hearts worldwide, proving that small-town life can pack big humor.
With a career spanning over three decades, Cotton’s storytelling blends sharp sarcasm, heartfelt compassion, and a love for Maine’s quirky charm. His books don’t just chronicle crime; they celebrate the humanity behind the badge, making him a beloved voice in nonfiction humor and memoir.
The Making of Timothy A. Cotton
A lifelong Mainer, Timothy A. Cotton grew up steeped in the rugged beauty and tight-knit communities of Bangor, Maine. His early life shaped his dry, Yankee wit and keen eye for human nature, traits that later defined his writing. Joining the Bangor Police Department, Cotton climbed the ranks from patrol officer to detective lieutenant, commanding the criminal investigations division. His writing career sparked unexpectedly when tasked with managing the department’s social media in 2014. His humorous posts, blending police blotter facts with clever commentary, went viral, catching publishers’ attention.
Timothy A. Cotton’s Unforgettable Stories
Cotton’s debut, The Detective in the Dooryard: Reflections of a Maine Cop (2020), is a collection of essays that weave humor, heartbreak, and hope. From quirky encounters with locals to poignant reflections on loss, Cotton’s conversational style feels like chatting with an old friend. His follow-up, Got Warrants?: Dispatches from the Dooryard (2021), leans into police report hilarity, transforming routine logs into comedic gems with his signature levity.
Dawn in the Dooryard (2022) expands beyond police tales, exploring Maine life and personal memories with warmth and wit. Cotton’s style—sarcastic yet kind, grounded yet poetic—captures the essence of New England. His stories, often featuring his boxer-lab Ellie, resonate for their authenticity and universal themes of community and resilience.
Recipient of the Erma Bombeck Award for humor, Cotton’s work has appeared in Bangor Daily News, CarTalk.com, and Blauer’s podcasts. His ability to find humor in the mundane and dignity in the everyday sets him apart, earning praise from figures like Mike Rowe and Craig Johnson.
Why Timothy A. Cotton Matters
Cotton’s impact lies in humanizing police work, showing officers as storytellers, not just enforcers. His books bridge divides, offering readers a glimpse into the heart of Maine’s communities. With over 330,000 followers on the Bangor Police Department’s Facebook page, his social media presence has made Bangor a global name, proving small-town stories can have universal appeal.
His legacy is one of connection—through laughter, tears, and shared humanity. Cotton’s work reminds us to find joy in the everyday, making him a refreshing voice in a world often too serious. He’s also working on a fiction novel, signaling more stories to come.
- Born: Lifelong resident of Bangor, Maine
- Key Works: The Detective in the Dooryard, Got Warrants?, Dawn in the Dooryard
- Awards: Erma Bombeck Award for humor
- Fun Fact: Manages the Bangor Police Department’s Facebook page, home of the famous Duck of Justice
Snag The Detective in the Dooryard and dive into Cotton’s world of humor and heart—you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll love every Maine minute!