Police departments from across Texas attended the funeral for the Carrollton Police officer killed last week. Steve Nothem was the first Carrollton officer to die in the line of duty.
Police say he was working with another officer at a DWI investigation on Bush Turnpike October 18. They say another driver hit Nothem's squad car, killing both Nothem and the other driver.
Nothem's funeral was held Thursday at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. Police departments from across the state attended, and the fire department hoisted a flag above the parking lot with ladder trucks.
Some people gathered outside.
"I'm here, really, to show the other members of the thin blue line people love them, and we support them," one man said on the sidewalk along Hebron Pkwy.
"They are a family," a woman across the street said. "They're very cohesive, but they're cohesive because they're out there protecting us."
Nothem was married and had four kids.
"There will never be a time in their lives when they don't miss their dad," that woman said.
David Prince, president of Eagle Gun Range, was standing outside the church and lowering his hat as police officers pulled in. He says Nothem shows how many different risks police officers, firefighters and paramedics face every day.
"I want to be there for them," he said. "Our goal is just to love on them. I hope it's okay."
Eagle Gun Range is raising money for Nothem's family. Details are available here.
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