LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Metro Police, family and friends will gather Tuesday to remember Detective Deidre “Dee Dee” Mengedoht.
Detective Mengedoht was killed in the line of duty on Christmas Eve 2018 when a truck hit her police cruiser on Interstate 64.
Those who knew her said they still feel the loss every day.
“Yes, this is our job, and we get to take our uniform off when we get home, but we might not come home. And Deidre didn't get to come home. And her son will never have her anymore. Her family will never have her anymore. And you know we've seen this unfortunately so many times in my ten years on the department and I think people forget the dangers of this job,” LMPD Sgt. Lamont Washington said.
There will be a private ceremony held in her memory.
Sgt. Washington said there are ways to honor not only Mengedoht's memory, but also the other officers that have died in the line of duty. There are three practical ways you can help:
1. Pay attention to line of duty deaths. You can pay tribute to those we have lost and help keep their stories alive by visiting the Officer Down Memorial Page online. The website shows a current count of line of duty deaths across the country and includes the stories of those fallen law enforcement officials.
2. Donate. Consider donating to organizations that help officers and their families in times of need. The Louisville Metro Police Foundation has a fund specifically for officers and families during times of distress, and donations are always appreciated.
3. Be kind. Friendliness toward first responders can go a long way. Sgt. Washington said even a small word of kindness means a lot to them.
"When you see a firefighter, you see an EMT, walk up and say thank you," he said. "We're not just there in times of tragedy."
He said the divide between first responders, like police and firefighters, and the community should not exist.
"We all live in the community. We've got to get rid of this divide of us as two separate things," he said.
You can hear more from Sgt. Washington and other first responders about their experiences with PTSD in our Stressed Into Silence series.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Dispatcher honored for 12 years of service, including work during tragic Christmas Eve crash
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