Carrollton police officer killed in the line of duty remembered at candlelight vigil

CARROLLTON, Texas - Carrollton police held a vigil on Sunday night for a police officer killed in the line of duty.

Officer Steve Nothem died after a crash on President George Bush Turnpike on Tuesday night.

Members of police departments across the area and members of the public attended the ceremony at the Carrollton Amphitheater.

Nothem's colleagues in his final moments he went to help a fellow officer. They say it was a mentality he brought to work every day.

"The last week has been extremely difficult for our organization," said Kevin McCoy, the assistant chief of police for the City of Carrollton.

Nothem was a Marine and served four years as an officer in Wisconsin before moving to Carrollton.

Nothem was also a huge Captain American fan.

Those in the crowd worse Disney and Marvel t-shirts to honor their fallen hero including officer's from Nothem's overnight shift.

"Steve had a sixth sense of knowing when something isn’t ok. As soon as he checked in he went to assist his brothers on the highway. I promise you everyone on our shift wishes we could take his place. We know that’s not what he wanted, but we wish for that nonetheless."

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Nothem was assisting another officer during a DWI investigation when he was hit by a passing car.

Both Nothem and the 82-year-old driver of that car died.

The Carrollton Police Department is still investigating the cause of the crash.

It is the first death for a Carrollton police officer in the line of duty in the history of the department.

"I refuse to say bye to Steve. In our line of work we have a saying: when we finish a call it is ‘I will see you on the next one’. So Steve, see you on the next one. I love you."

Nothem leaves behind a wife, 13-year-old son, twin 6-year-old boys and a 1-year-old daughter. 

READ MORE: Funeral, vigil plans released for fallen Carrollton police officer

Carrollton's mayor says he is making it the city's mission to support the Nothem family and his law enforcement family who will miss him. 

"I hope that we would honor the sacrifice the ultimate sacrifice that Steve did that Tuesday night," he said.

Nothem's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Prestonwood Baptist Church.