BONHAM, TX-- Dozens gathered at the Fannin County Sheriff's Department, Thursday, with candles to represent a bright light lost just three years ago.

Fannin County Sheriff, Kenneth Moore, spoke to the group, "Deputy Rahamy Arden Mitchell was on his way to Leonard to back up a Leonard officer, on a family disturbance call."

According to Texas DPS, Mitchell's vehicle hit a slippery patch on state highway 11 between Randolph and Bailey, lost traction and overturned. Mitchell died at the scene.

Sheriff Kenneth Moore says the loss of an officer is never easy, but it hits extremely hard, in such a tight knit department.

"Most of the officers know one another, their families know one another, a lot of them have grown up together from children, a lot of them went to school together or they went to the police academy," Moore said. "They have a close tie that binds them together, exclusive of the badge."

Friends say Mitchell was a very important part of the community and his loss is felt just as deeply today as it was three years ago.

"Rahamy was a people person, he was extremely friendly, everyone liked him," Donnie Foster, Savoy Police Chief said. "He was a really big guy, he could be intimidating if you didn't know him, but he had a heart of gold and he really loved people."

Mitchell had been part of the Fannin County Sheriff's department for six years before his death.

He was the first officer killed in the line of duty in more than 100 years in Fannin County.

"We never really forget but we need to be reminded that we are brothers because sometimes we get irritated with one another or something , things like this remind us who we are and what we are," Foster said.

A website dedicated to Mitchell allows people to leave their comments and memories of him. One recent post said, "Rahamy, we think of you all the time, and miss you so much."

Mitchell is survived by one son, Kiefer.

Although he was not in attendance this evening, Sheriff Kenneth Moore says Kiefer Mitchell is doing well, and attending Grayson County College.