Montgomery Officer Struck By Car Dies Thursday

ROCKVILLE, MD — A week after he was hit by a car driven by a suspected drunk driver, Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta, 24, has died from his injuries.

The police department announced Leotta’s death Thursday morning. The Montgomery County native was injured Dec. 3 during a traffic stop on Rockville Pike as part of a holiday task force fighting drunk driving.

Leotta was a Sherwood High School graduate, and attended Montgomery College. He interned with the Police Department from December 2011 to January 2013, and was then hired as a Montgomery County Police Officer. Leotta was assigned to the 4th District as a patrol officer.

The department said 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. … 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.”

Police Chief J. Thomas Manger praised the fallen officer. “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 the public keep Officer Leotta, his family, his friends, his fellow officers, and the countless people whose lives he touched in your thoughts and prayers.

Montgomery County residents can offer condolences and memorial in Leotta’s name in several ways.

Anyone wishing to send condolences to the Leotta family may:

E-mail his family at : fornoah@montgomerycountymd.gov

The mailbox is designated for sending thoughts and prayers to Officer Leotta’s family. Because of the volume of mail, the family is 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, MD 20902

Anyone wishing to make donations:

Leotta’s family has requested that anyone wishing to make donations in his memory make them to the following organizations:

• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D.), 10440 Shaker Drive, #207, Columbia, MD 21046 or www.madd.org
• HEROES, Inc., 1200 29th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20007 or www.heroes.org
• Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020 or www.nationalcops.org