My blood ran cold on Febraury 14th, 2001 when I heard the news. The night before, February 13th, 2001, two young police officers from my home county had been murdered in the line of duty. Patrolman Michael Nickerson of the Centerville PD and Deputy First Class Jason Schwenz of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office had responded to the home of a known subject for a noise complaint. I don't know the detail of how they died, I know only that they were both shot at close range with a rifle and neither managed to return fire to my knowledge. Their killer was arrested later that night by responding units without further incident.
Mike Nickerson was only a year older than me and Jason was 28. I'd met Mike in passing and we had mutual friends. They were young men doing what they could to make our world a better, safer place and that night they gave their lives in defense of the community they'd grown up in. Our sleepy, peaceful community had lost it's first officers since Trooper First Class Wallace Mowbray in August of 1975.
May my Brothers Rest in Peace. May their loved ones find peace. May our community never forget the sacrifice of two brave young police officers. Jason, Mike, we have the watch and all is well. Rest well Gentlemen.
Mike Nickerson was only a year older than me and Jason was 28. I'd met Mike in passing and we had mutual friends. They were young men doing what they could to make our world a better, safer place and that night they gave their lives in defense of the community they'd grown up in. Our sleepy, peaceful community had lost it's first officers since Trooper First Class Wallace Mowbray in August of 1975.
May my Brothers Rest in Peace. May their loved ones find peace. May our community never forget the sacrifice of two brave young police officers. Jason, Mike, we have the watch and all is well. Rest well Gentlemen.
