Sandy MaloneCarrollton, TX – Carrollton Police Department Officer Steve Nothem was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday night while he was backing up another officer who was conducting a stop on a suspected drunk driver.
The Carrollton Police Department said Officer Nothem was “backing up” another officer in a DWI investigation on the westbound side of the President George Bush Turnpike “when he was hit by a passing driver” just before 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 18, NBC News reported.
Officer Nothem was inside of his vehicle when the other driver crashed into him.
Police said the driver of the vehicle that struck Officer Nothem – later identified as 82-year-old Phillip Parker – was pronounced dead at the scene, KETK reported.
Officer Nothem was transported to a hospital in Plano where he was pronounced dead.
The fallen hero joined the Carrollton Police Department in March of 2020 after serving four years as a police officer in Wisconsin, KETK reported.
He is survived by his wife and four children.
Prior to entering law enforcement, Officer Nothem served as U.S. Marine, according to KETK.
“We lost a beloved officer in the line of duty overnight,” Carrollton police said in a statement. “We are devastated by the loss of our favorite Wisconsin transplant, but we are comforted by the everlasting memories we have of his goofy demeanor, kind heart, and unforgettable Wisconsin accent on our radios.”
Officer Nothem was the first line-of-duty death for the police department, KETK reported.
Police department officials said the cause of the crash that led to the hero’s death was still under investigation.
The @CarrolltonTXPD Honor Guard lowered flags to half-staff outside Carrollton Police Department headquarters to honor Officer Steve Nothem. pic.twitter.com/eZUS8mdSQ2
— City of Carrollton (@CarrolltonTX) October 19, 2022
RIP. Texas Police Officer Steve Nothem was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting another officer with a DUI investigation. He is survived by his wife and four children. #rip #hero #PoliceOfficerSteveNothem #CarrolltonPoliceDepartment #eow #thinblueline #bluelivesmatter pic.twitter.com/cS8ScfW474
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) October 19, 2022
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Police Officer Steve Nothem
Carrollton Police Department, Texas
EOW: Tuesday, October 18, 2022#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/5plddYND91
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) October 19, 2022
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Steve Nothem.
Our thoughts are with the men and women of the @CarrolltonTXPD. pic.twitter.com/nQIsACRTpO
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) October 19, 2022
Flowers already starting to accumulate for Steve Nothem at the memorial in front of Carrollton PD. pic.twitter.com/F1yE4numl8
— Chris Sadeghi (@chrissadeghi) October 19, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women of the @CarrolltonTXPD as they mourn the loss of Officer Steve Nothem, who was killed last night in the line of duty.
Rest in Peace Officer Nothem, we'll take it from here. pic.twitter.com/yDvYJp6zwh
— Lubbock Police Dept. (@LubbockPolice) October 19, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Carrollton Police Department Officer Steve Nothem, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Holly Matkin
