Carrollton Texas police officer Steve Nothem dies: Who was he?

CARROLLTON, Texas — A Carrollton police officer and one other driver have been killed in a crash on the President George Bush Turnpike on Tuesday, and now we’re studying extra concerning the officer from his household. 

Police recognized the officer as Steve Nothem II, who was aiding a drunk-driving investigation when his squad automotive was hit by a passing driver’s car. 

WFAA’s William Joy spoke with the officer’s father and namesake, Steve Nothem, on Wednesday. Steve Nothem stated earlier than his son was a police officer, he served as a U.S. Marine and did two excursions in Iraq.

“He did that because he wanted to matter. He wanted …,” Nothem stated, as he choked up. “The Iraq war was young and dangerous, and he wanted to make his mark.”

RELATED: Carrollton police officer killed in crash with passing car is recognized

Steve Nothem informed WFAA that his son “was always the defender of the underdog” in highschool. He went on to inform a narrative about how his son had a buddy named Sam Lee, who had cystic fibrosis and was picked on in highschool.

Steve Nothem stated his son would arise for Lee and defend him from the bullies. 

Steve Nothem II and Lee vowed collectively that Nothem II would combat for our nation, whereas Lee fought for his life. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic dysfunction that causes issues with respiratory and digestion, and it impacts about 35,000 individuals within the United States, according to the CDC.

“Steve got back from his first tour of Iraq to learn that Sam was pretty much on his death bed,” Steve Nothem informed WFAA. “Steve told Sam that he would name his son Sam, after him, and within an hour, his friend Sam died. That’s the kind of kid [Steve] was.”

Steve Nothem stated his son determined to change into a police officer after his navy profession as a result of, once more, “he defends the underdog.” He stated his son served for about 4 years in Wisconsin earlier than transferring to Texas.

“[Steve] chose Texas over the other warmer climate states because he felt that the police departments in Texas were more well-respected than other parts of the country,” Steve Nothem stated.

Steve Nothem stated Carrollton police notified the Kiel, Wisc. police, who then despatched two officers to his home to ship the heartbreaking news.

“First factor I stated was ‘it’s 4 a.m., who died’ they usually stated it was Steven,” he informed WFAA. 

Steve Nothem stated “if there’s anything that’s sort of comforting, it’s that he wasn’t killed by another drunk driver.” He said his son “had a factor about retaining drunk drivers off the freeway” as a result of his aunt was killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve almost a decade in the past.

The Carrollton Police Department stated Nothem II leaves behind a 13-year-old son, twin 6-year-old sons and a 1-year-old daughter.

“He really, really loved his wife and kids. More than most husbands do,” Steve Nothem stated. “That was his whole life. That and his service, his community service. Those two things were it.”