Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Pool Renaming Ceremony of the Wheaton-Glenmont Outdoor Pool
12621 Dalewood Dr., Wheaton
As prepared
Good Afternoon.
“We will never forget” is the promise made when a Montgomery County Police Officer loses his or her life in the line of duty.
Today’s ceremony to rename the Wheaton Glenmont Outdoor Pool, the “Sergeant Hector I. Ayala Wheaton-Glenmont Outdoor Pool” is a wonderful way that our County can honor and remember the sacrifice of this dedicated young officer.
And it is particularly fitting because this pool serves so many families in the police District where Sergeant Ayala spent his entire career.
Sergeant Ayala loved children. He was even generous in offering his personal time to help babysit for other officer’s children when there was a special need.
He was devoted to his wife Melissa and their son, Hector Jr., who was just 14 months old when his father died.
Hector, I know how proud your Dad would be if he could see what a fine young man you are growing up to be.
Angelica, Gabriella and Victoria – I am told that your Dad could not have been more excited as he and your Mom prepared for your expected June births in 2010.
Melissa, we are all pleased that your family has expanded with another caring adult male role model, Nicholas Belback, and your new baby son, Michael.
To all of the extended family members, friends and police family, I so wish that we were gathered today because Sergeant Ayala was being honored at an awards ceremony with a future of continued service, rather than an event to memorialize his past exemplary work.
And it was exemplary: At age 31, and with just seven years of service, he had already made an impact on the County he chose to serve.
He had been nominated for several awards and commended for many examples of his excellent police work.
In 2005, it was Sergeant Ayala, along with two backup officers, who were able to save the life of a man by physically subduing him when he was attempting to commit suicide by jumping from the roof of the Glenmont Metro Station.
Because Sergeant Ayala was fluent in Spanish and cared so much for this community, he frequently served as a translator between Hispanic community members and the department.
He was the 16th Montgomery County police officer and first Hispanic officer to lose his life in the line of duty.
Sergeant Ayala was all that we could hope for in a Montgomery County Police Officer and a human being in general.
He is dearly missed. And he will never be forgotten.
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Release ID: 17-018
April 4; 5 p.m.