A Carrollton Police Officer died late Tuesday after being struck by a car, police say, in a death which the department said was its first for officers in the line of duty.
According to a Carrolton Police Department press release, Officer Steve Nothem was assisting a highway DWI investigation when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver of that car, 82-year-old Phillip Parker, was also killed.
Nothem was transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. Despite life-saving measures by the Carrollton Police Department and Carrollton Fire Rescue, Nothem was pronounced dead at the hospital.
“This was the first officer that the City of Carrollton has lost in the line of duty, so this has hit our department pretty hard,” Rex Redden, Carrollton’s acting police chief, told Fox 4. “This officer served valiantly. And we all know the heavy risk in public safety today, especially out on our highways. We mourn his loss, and our police family is in mourning.”
Nothem joined the Carrollton Police Department in March 2020, previously serving the Grand Chute, Wisconsin Police Department.
“I came upon various commendations in his file most related to the compassion he showed to crime victims. Everyone echoed that about the compassion he showed people experiencing their worst days,” Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson told Fox 4.
“One of the first things we do is fill out a packet that helps administrators if there is a tragedy. We don’t think it will happen to us. This is a stark reminder there are tragedies, and everyone who puts on a uniform needs to remember it could be the last time.”
Before that, Nothem was a member of the United States Marine Corps.
The crash is currently under investigation.
Nothem is survived by his wife, 13-year-old son, twin 6-year-old sons, and 1-year-old daughter as well as extended family members.
Funeral services are pending. However, police officers held a procession for Nothem from West Parker Road to the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office early Wednesday.
