News Releases

Officer Noah Leotta Memorial Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight

For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 1, 2016

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight (September 1) from approximately 10:00 pm to 1:30 am tomorrow in memory of fallen Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta.

On December 3, 2015, Officer Leotta was working as a member of the annual Holiday Alcohol Task Force (a team of officers devoted to detecting alcohol-related offenses during the holiday season).  He was conducting a traffic stop when he was struck by a drunk driver.  On December 10, 2015, Officer Leotta succumbed to injuries sustained during that collision.

Officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department, the Rockville City Police Department, the Maryland-National Capital Park Police Department, and deputy sheriffs from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will also be participating in this sobriety checkpoint.  Maryland State Police troopers will be supporting these efforts by conducting a separate sobriety checkpoint at another location in Montgomery County.

Prior to the start of the sobriety checkpoint, officers will attend a roll call where they will be addressed by Noah Leotta’s father, Rich Leotta, MCPD Chief Tom Manger, Director of the MCPD Traffic Division Captain Tom Didone, and a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

Drivers who pass through this sobriety checkpoint will receive cards (see example below) that include Officer Leotta’s photograph and contain a message reminding drivers of the importance of always making a plan to have a safe and sober ride.  These cards also bring to life the dangerous and deadly consequences of impaired driving.

The Department continues to provide drunk driving prevention information to the public and is committed to enforcing impaired-driving laws. In doing so, Department members honor the life of Officer Noah Leotta.  On October 1, Noah’s Law will become effective in Maryland.  The law, named after Officer Noah Leotta, expands Maryland’s ignition interlock program and increases driver license suspension periods for individuals arrested for impaired driving.

NOTE TO MEDIA: The media is welcome to attend the roll call held at 8:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Headquarters and is welcome to be present at the checkpoint.  The location of the checkpoint will not be announced in advance.  To make arrangements to attend, please call the Public Information Office at 240-773-5030, press option 4.

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Release ID: 16-225
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: checkpoint, remembrances