ROCKVILLE, MD. — 12/10/2015 — It is with profound sadness that the Department confirms that Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta has succumbed to injuries he sustained when he was struck by a driver suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol on December 3.
Officer Noah Leotta, age 24, grew up in Montgomery County, was a Sherwood High School graduate, and attended Montgomery College. Officer Leotta interned with the Police Department from December 2011 to January 2013. He shadowed 1st District Officer John Romack, whose primary focus was enforcement of impaired-driving laws, and then was mentored by officers of the Alcohol Initiatives Section.
In January 2013, Officer Noah Leotta was hired as a Montgomery County Police Officer Candidate and attended the Montgomery County Police Academy as a member of Session 58. The class graduated in July 2013 and Noah was assigned to the 4th District for field training. When he completed his training, he remained in the 4th District as a 4thDistrict patrol officer.
On the night that he was struck, Officer Leotta was working as a member of the annualHoliday Alcohol Task Force. These officers devote their full time and attention to detecting alcohol-related offenses during the holiday season.
Officer Noah Leotta had a passion for serving the community and was an exemplary officer as evidenced by comments in a recent performance evaluation. His supervisor wrote, “He arrives at work early every day with a smile on his face as though he can’t wait to start the day. His enthusiasm for the job is unwavering and infectious.” His supervisor further explained, “He is humble and selfless and never seeks any recognition for himself. Officer Leotta is always willing to help out fellow officers in any way he can.”
Chief J. Thomas Manger said, “Noah loved his job and demonstrated a level of enthusiasm that drove a work ethic and professionalism that we can all aspire to. These qualities made him the man and the police officer that he was.”
The Department asks that you keep in your thoughts and prayers, Officer Noah Leotta, his family, his friends, his fellow officers, and the countless people whose lives he touched.
Officer Struck by Suspected DUI Driver; Remains in Critical Condition
DUI crash scene Rockville Md 120415 Officer Leotta critical. NBC 4 Washington photo
Dec. 4, 2015 — Last night at approximately 9:47 p.m., an on-duty Montgomery County Police officer was struck by a passing vehicle as he conducted a traffic stop. The officer, identified as Noah Leotta, remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
The on-scene investigation by Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives has revealed that Officer Leotta was conducting a traffic stop in the curb lane of northbound Rockville Pike and Edmonston Drive. During the course of this traffic stop, a 2012 Honda CRV, traveling north on Rockville Pike, first struck Officer Leotta’s marked cruiser and then struck Officer Leotta, who was outside of his vehicle.
The driver of the CRV, identified as Luis Gustavo Reluzco, age 47, of Rolling Meadow Way in Olney, remained at the collision scene. Luis Reluzco was taken into custody under the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He had no reported injuries. Due to the seriousness of Officer Leotta’s injuries, Reluzco was required by Maryland law to submit to a blood test that will be analyzed for alcohol; those results are pending. Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives continue to examine the circumstances of this collision and if charges are to be made, they will be placed after the completion of their investigation.
Officer Noah Leotta, age 24, has been a Montgomery County Police officer since January of 2013. Officer Leotta is a 4th District officer who is currently working as a member of the Holiday Alcohol Task Force. The officers of the Holiday Alcohol Task Force devote their full time and attention to detecting alcohol-related offenses during the holiday season. Before serving as a Montgomery County Police officer, Officer Leotta interned with the Department in a unit that focuses on impaired-driving enforcement.
“Noah is not only a dedicated young police officer, he is a caring person who became a cop to serve the community where he grew up. He needs everyone’s prayers as he fights for his life,” says Chief of Police Tom Manger.
The men and women of the Department thank the community for the continued thoughts and prayers being sent to Officer Leotta.
Anyone who witnessed this collision or has information about this collision is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.
Anyone wishing to send condolences to Noah’s family may:
E-mail his family at : fornoah@montgomerycountymd.gov
The mailbox is designated for sending thoughts and prayers to Officer Leotta’s family. Please know that due to the volume of mail, we are unable to respond to any requests, questions, and/or comments.
People may deliver or mail cards/messages to:
The Leotta Family
Montgomery County Police Department – 4th District
2300 Randolph Road
Wheaton, Maryland 20902
Anyone wishing to make donations:
Noah’s family has requested that anyone wishing to make donations in memory of Officer Noah Leotta make them to the following organizations:
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D.)
10440 Shaker Drive
#207
Columbia, MD 21046
www.madd.org
HEROES, Inc.
1200 29th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
www.heroes.org
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
P.O. Box 3199
Camdenton, MO 65020
www.nationalcops.org
