Fundraising events announced for family of murdered Louisville jail officer Michael Wehdah

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jerry Collins, chief of Louisville's jail, said he feels very confident police investigators will find the person responsible for Officer Michael Wehdah's murder.

"I have every faith that the person will be held accountable for this," Collins said Friday afternoon.

In the meantime, Wehdah's coworkers are raising money for his son and widow.

Wehdah came to America for a better life. He immigrated from Liberia in 2022 before getting a degree at the University of Louisville. Wehdah also celebrated another kind of graduation in November: becoming an officer with Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.

"He recently had brought his wife and son over from Liberia," Collins said.

His future was looking brighter each day, but Wehdah's hopes and dreams were cut short last weekend.

The 44-year-old was found shot to death Sunday on Cedar Street. Police said he worked an early shift at the jail Saturday and returned home that afternoon. That's the last time his family saw him alive.

"We just want to wrap our arms around not only our employees but his family," Collin said. "It's very tragic and senseless."

Metro Corrections and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 set up a memorial fund for Wehdah's family. As of Friday afternoon, it's raised a little more than $5,100.

They've also planned a few fundraisers with raffles across Louisville as part of the Louisville Metro Corrections Foundation. The first event will be on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Bingo City Breckinridge. That's at 3441 Breckinridge Lane. There will be two sessions: one at 7:30 p.m. and another at midnight.

"We're going to donate 100% of the proceeds to the family," said Rodger Ledrick, president of FOP Lodge 77. "His family will be our family for life."

On March 4, the Roosters on Dixie Highway will host a buffet-style fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. It will cost $5 for children and $17 for adults, and $8 of each sale will be donated to Wehdah's family.

There's also a Topgolf event in the works for a later date. Organizers are looking for sponsors for the golf bays. Sponsored bays will have a placard with sponsors name. Sponsorship costs $400 per bay.

"This trauma is going to be there for a long time," Colins said. "And the need is going to be there for a long time."

LMPD's Homicide Unit is still investigating Wehdah's murder and hasn't announced any arrests or a motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information about what happened to Wehdah is asked to call LMPD's Crime Tip Line at 502-574-5673. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online through the department's Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.

Funeral arrangements for Wehdah are still being finalized.

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