Louisville police honor Detective Deidre Mengedoht 7 years after line-of-duty death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville police officers paused to remember Detective Deidre Mengedoht Wednesday, seven years after she was killed in the line of duty.

A wreath was placed at the permanent memorial at the Louisville Metro Police 2nd Division Headquarters at 3419 Bohne Ave.

Major Russ Miller spoke at the annual ceremony. "She was a friend, a loyal and loving coworker, and we all miss her greatly. She is and always will be remembered as an exceptional and outstanding person and a friend who made others laugh and had a genuine love in her heart to help others."

On Christmas Eve in 2018, Mengedoht died in a crash on Interstate 64 near the Belvedere in downtown Louisville. Roger Burdette was driving an MSD truck when he crashed into Mengedoht's unmarked cruiser as she was conducting a traffic stop. The cruiser burst into flames, and Mengedoht died at the scene.

Burdette was found guilty of murder, four counts of wanton endangerment, operating a motor vehicle under the influence and failure to give the right of way to a stopped emergency vehicle. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence they said proves Burdette had taken drugs prior to the crash and that he was watching porn on his cellphone just before he crashed into Mengedoht.

Every year since her death, fellow Louisville Metro Police officers have gathered to honor her service.

In November 2022, the department unveiled its renovated gym in the second division, which is dedicated to Mengedoht. A section of Interstate 64 has also been named in her honor.

Ky. Supreme Court upholds conviction of man who killed LMPD detective in 2018 crash

Jury finds Roger Burdette guilty of murder in crash that killed LMPD detective

Truck driver was watching porn just before crash that killed LMPD detective, investigators say