By Kate Feldman New York Daily News
LOUSIVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville Metro Police officer was killed Monday afternoon when a possibly intoxicated driver crashed his semi-truck into her cruiser.
Deidre Mengedoht, 32, was stopped on the side of the road during a routine traffic stop when Roger Burdette crashed his semi-truck into her car, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Mengedoht’s car was pushed into the pickup truck that she had stopped, then burst into flames with her still inside.
No one else was injured in the crash, including the four people in the pickup truck.
“DeeDee, as she was known to her friends and colleagues, gave her life serving the community, which is something she loved to do,” Chief Steve Conrad said during a press conference, calling it a “tragic, tragic day.”
“Those who knew DeeDee will tell you that in her 32 years of life and seven and a half with the police department, she always went above and beyond of what was asked of her and required of her.”
Burdette, 60, was charged with murder and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He’s being held on a $200,000 bond.
Burdette denied drinking, but said he had taken multiple prescription drugs, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.
During his sobriety test, he was unable to maintain balance and failed other impairment tests as well.
Gov. Matt Bevin called the death “heartbreaking” and warned drivers to be careful on the roads.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher similarly mourned Mengedoht’s death.
“My heart is breaking today as we mourn the tragic death of @LMPD Detective Deidre Mengedoht. When Deidre joined LMPD, she committed herself to service on behalf of our city, and her death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices that our public safety professionals make every day,” he tweeted.
“At a time when so many of us are gathered with family in celebration of the holidays, this is a terribly sad day for our entire community. I urge my fellow citizens to join me in praying for Deidre’s family, and her LMPD brothers and sisters.”
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Thanks Louisville Metro Police Foundation for always keeping our members your top priority. We appreciate you. Det. Mengedoht will be missed. #LMPD #ThinBlueLine #NeverForgotten
Posted by Louisville Metro Police Department on Wednesday, December 26, 2018
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