Benefit Honors Montgomery County Officer Killed by Drunk Driver

SILVER SPRING, MD — H.E.R.O.E.S. (Honor Every Responsible Officer’s Eternal Sacrifice), Inc. is a non-profit, charitable organization based in D.C. that provides financial aid and professional counsel to the surviving family members of law enforcement officers and firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty. On Monday night, the organization will hold their second annual Mayday Benefit to celebrate the life of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta at The Fillmore Silver Spring.

Leotta died at age 24 when he was struck on Rockville Pike by a repeat drunk driver while on a special assignment with his agency's Holiday Alcohol Task Force in December 2015. 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 assigned to the Wheaton/Glenmont area as a patrol officer.

Leotta's family named HEROES INC. as a charity of choice when donating in his memory. The organization also created and hosted a fundraiser golf tournament in honor of Leotta in 2016.

This year's event will be held at The Fillmore at 8656 Colesville Rd. HEROES INC. hopes to double last year's attendance and income. The organization will hold a silent auction to generate additional funds beyond the expected $15,000 in admission fees. All proceeds from the event go directly to the HEROES, Inc. educational scholarship fund.

SEE ALSO:

• Officer Killed by Drunk Driver: 'He Left Something Behind'
• Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty in Montgomery Officer's Death
• Officer’s Funeral: Procession Images, Video
• Police Chief Denounces ‘Drunk Driver,’ State’s Weak Laws
• Dram Shop Law Needed to Deter Drunk Drivers: Leggett
• Slain Officer’s Parents Lobby for ‘Noah’s Law’

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The benefit will feature the silent auction, live music by local bands, an all-you-can-eat buffet by Mama Lucia, a raffle, Vegas games and more. Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes and Drums will also perform. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and last call is at 10:45 p.m.

“(Leotta) was killed by a man who decided to smoke some dope, drink for four hours and get behind the wheel of a car,” Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger said. “This officer was killed serving the public, trying to prevent the exact crime that killed him.”

Community members can purchase General Admission tickets for $25 online.

Photo: Noah Leotta, Montgomery County Police Department