Man Who Killed Officer Noah Leotta Sentenced

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The parents of the Maryland police officer killed in the line of duty speak out as the man behind their son's death is sentenced.

The man who killed Officer Noah Leotta will face 10 years in prison for hitting and killing Leotta while intoxicated.

"There was no relief. There's no winners, there's only losers in this," said Noah's father Rich Leotta, reacting to the sentence of the man charged with killing his son.

On December 3, 2015, 47-year-old Luis Reluzco was driving drunk after drinking for hours at the nearby Hooters, before hitting Noah, who was on duty -- pulling over suspected drunk drivers.

Nearly a dozen people stood and spoke in the courtroom about Noah Leotta, about their incredible loss and a hole that can never be filed in their hearts.

Noah's mother Marcy said tearfully, "I feel like I want to die and be with him."

"We heard what he said, that he wants to change his life; I pray that he does. I pray that we've saved, at least, his life."

This was Reluzco's 4th alcohol related offense, which date back decades. The judge sent a powerful message with his sentence, that driving drunk driving will not be tolerated.

"Today's message is, you can be sorry when you engage in a course of conduct as the defendant did in this case, but there will be consequence."

The sentencing is not the end for the Leottas', who vow to continue their work to save lives through Noah's Law, which now requires convicted drunk drivers have an ignition interlock device installed in their car.

Rich Leotta goes to his son's grave site often, which he says he did before the sentencing.

"Now I can go back to him, and Noah would be happy about that."

Sentenced to 10 years for vehicular homicide, Reluzco is eligible for parole in two and a half years.