WASHINGTON — A Montgomery County police officer died Thursday morning, a week after he was hit by a car during a traffic stop.

Noah Leotta was 24.

Chief J. Thomas Manger said in a statement, “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.”

Leotta joined the force in 2013. He was working as part of the Holiday Alcohol Task Force on Dec. 3 when he was hit at about 9:45 p.m. on Rockville Pike near Edmonston Drive by a car the police say was driven by Luis Reluzco, of Olney, Maryland. Reluzco was taken into custody under the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, the police say; tests are pending.

The police have set up an email address for condolences.

Cards and letters can be dropped off at or mailed to:

The Leotta Family
Montgomery County Police Department — 4th District
2300 Randolph Road
Wheaton, Maryland 20902

Leotta’s family says that donations in his memory can be made to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers; Heroes, Inc., or Concerns of Police Survivors.