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Incident
Detective Deidre Mengedoht was killed when her patrol car was struck by an impaired driver while conducting a traffic stop on I-64, between 4th Street and 6th Street, in downtown Louisville just after 2:00 pm.
Her vehicle was stopped in the right lane with its emergency equipment activated when it was struck from behind by a Metropolitan Sewer District tractor-trailer. The patrol car was pushed into the vehicle she had stopped and became engulfed in flames with Detective Mengedoht trapped inside.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with driving under the influence and murder of a law enforcement officer. In November 2021, the driver was found guilty and sentenced to 27 years.
Detective Mengedoght had served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
She is survived by a young son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Mengedoht gave the Louisville Metro Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Mengedoht.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Louisville Metro Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Deidre is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Deidre is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Deidre is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Deidre was 32. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Deidre had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Deidre was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Deidre had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Deidre was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Deidre had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Louisville Metro Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; narcotics involved, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; narcotics involved, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; narcotics involved, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; narcotics involved, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Her people
Louisville Metro Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Deidre among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Louisville Metro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
