WASHINGTON — Montgomery County Police officers and a fallen officer’s family expressed gratitude today for a child’s poem of condolence.

Seventh Grader Alexandra Close was inspired to write the poem while she and fellow school mates watched the passing funeral procession of Montgomery County Officer Noah Leotta last December.

“The moment we all saw you guys standing along the street and saluting us and holding your hands over your hearts, every single police officer was touched by that very deeply,” said Officer Rose Borsow. “lt momentarily took the pain away and made us extra proud to be police officers.”

“If he were still here, I’d just want to say: ‘Thank you for all the work that you have done to keep all of us safe,'” Close told WTOP after the ceremony in which she and her school were presented a plaque commemorating the poem.

“We wanted to do something to show our respect, to show our appreciation to this officer who gave truly the ultimate sacrifice working for us,” said Tom Stevens, Head of School at St. John’s Episcopal School in Olney, Maryland where the presentation occurred during a school assembly Friday.

“It was very touching that day that we put my son to rest,” said Leotta’s father, Rick Leotta. “All of you outside saluting, honoring him — it was an honor for us to see that.”

See video of the ceremony here: