A lifelong friend of Deidre Mengedoht remembers not just a seasoned LMPD detective, but a wife, mother and friend.
Despite the horrible events surrounding Mengedoht's death, Janelle Briscoe talked about her best friend of 20 years with a smile – the way Mengedoht would respond to every curve life threw her.
Briscoe said Mengedoht's family lost a mother and daughter, she lost a friend, but the community lost a pure soul dedicated to bridging the gap between those who patrol the streets and those they patrol.
"I believe she tried to give dignity to those who needed it," Briscoe said. "And not only that, but the follow through -- it wasn't just like, 'I'm going to handle this and then I'm gone,' she followed up."
Briscoe said her friend would ask every person she encountered for ways in which she can pray for them.
Rooted deeply in her faith, Mengedoht served in her church, did a outreach projects and despite moving further into her career and making detective, she always went back to those she'd respond to. Mengedoht would keep up with progress and offer ways to help.
Mengedoht was always kind and generous, Briscoe said. Instead, she full of joy and never focused on the bad. Even in tough situations, Briscoe said Mengedoht always believed the good in people.
To honor her life and service to the community, LMPD invites the public to show support for the detective Saturday morning as the department escorts her casket through her favorite parts of town.
The procession begins at 9 a.m. at O.D. White and Sons Funeral Home and ends with a final stop at Resthaven Funeral Home. The full procession route and visitation and funeral arrangements can be found here.
The Louisville Metro Police Foundation has set up a fund for people to donate to help her 9-year-old son. More information can be found in the link below.