OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
On Feb. 14, 2019, the Jefferson County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Roger D. Burdette regarding the December 24, 2018 incident wherein the semi-trailer truck being driven by Burdette struck the police vehicle of Det. Deidre Mengedoht while she was making a traffic stop on eastbound I64 at the Belvedere, a collision which resulted in her death. Burdette has been charged with one count of Murder, four counts of Wanton Endangerment in the First Degree, Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence of Intoxicants–First Offense and Failure to Give Right of Way to Stopped Emergency Vehicle.
The Wanton Endangerment charges result from the fact that the crash also threatened death or serious physical injury to the four occupants of the motor vehicle which Detective Mengedoht had stopped.
The case has been assigned to Division Eight of Jefferson Circuit Court and Burdette is expected to be formally arraigned there on Monday, February 18, at 1:00 p.m. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kristi Gray is the prosecutor.
MSD apologizes for hiring an attorney for employee charged in LMPD detective’s death
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Metropolitan Sewer District is apologizing for hiring a lawyer for an employee charged with the death of a Louisville Metro Police detective.
MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott released a statement explaining that the initial decision to retain a lawyer for MSD driver Roger Burdette was based on information available after the accident. He said that after input from the MSD board and leadership, the decision was made to not be involved in Burdette’s defense.
“Since the accident occurred, I’ve heard from our employees and our customers, and I know they are hurting,” Parrott said in the statement. “I share in this pain. This is an extremely difficult time for the community and especially for those of us working in public service.” MORE
Statement from MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott — On behalf of MSD — Along with the Louisville community, MSD continues to mourn the loss of Louisville Metro Police Detective Deidre Mengedoht. Her death is a tragedy. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and the Louisville Metro Police Department who serve our community every day. I also want to provide clarification as we move forward. MSD’s initial decision to retain legal counsel for tractor trailer driver Roger Burdette was based on what we knew at the time of the accident — specifically, that an employee was involved in an accident while on the job and in an MSD vehicle.
After further consideration with the MSD Board and leadership, MSD decided we would not be involved in Mr. Burdette’s criminal defense. We understand that our initial decision has upset many and for we apologize.
Please know that no written contract was formalized with the defense attorney and no MSD funds have or will be used for defense in Mr. Burdette’s criminal case.
In addition, MSD has begun the process to terminate Mr. Burdette’s employment through MSD and union contract processes. He has been on unpaid status since being arrested. Since the accident occurred, I’ve heard from our employees and our customers and I know they are hurting. I share in this pain.
This is an extremely difficult time for the community and especially for those of us working in public service. As public servants, we get into this line of work to strengthen the community in which we live. And we do that by working together. This accident involved one employee, not all of our employees. I value the work of our employees—performed day in and day out—to manage and treat wastewater, provide drainage solutions and protect residents from flooding. Providing safe, clean waterways for Louisville is our mission and I appreciate their partnership in rising to meet that challenge for the community.
Detective Mengedoht will be dearly missed.
Obituary of Detective Deidre Irene Mengedoht, killed by DUI truck driver on Christmas Eve
Louisville – Deidre Irene Mengedoht, 32, passed away in the line of duty on December 24, 2018. Deidre was a graduate of Eastern High School, in Louisville, Kentucky. She went on to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville. She began the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Training Academy in March 2011 and became a sworn officer in October 2011. Deidre was first assigned to train in the 1st Division, then in December, she transferred to the 2nd Division as a beat officer and worked her way to rank of Detective. She cared deeply about the brothers and sisters that were members of her platoon and considered them family. She served her Louisville community with courage and a passion to protect.
She was preceded in death by four great grandmothers; Irene Angelillo, Lilly Hefley, Rosie Shaw and Birdie Cassidy and grandfathers; Charles C. Young and Wayne Ackert Sr..
Deidre leaves behind to cherish her memory her son Preston Mengedoht, mom and dad Brenda and Chuck Young, father Wayne Ackert Jr., sister Ashley Lewis, nephews Marqus, Isaiah and Michael Lewis and grandparents; Gill and Mary Stotts, Judy Young and Marie Ackert and many dear aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 30th, 2018, from 2-8pm, followed by a Fraternal Order of Police memorial service at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home, 4400 Bardstown Road. A funeral service to honor the life of Deidre will be held Monday, December 31st, 2018, at 11am at Southeast Christian Church, 920 Blankenbaker Parkway, with burial to follow in Hebron Cemetery.
