Deputy Sheriff Jason Charles Schwenz

Jason Charles Schwenz

Deputy Sheriff Jason Schwenz and Police Officer Michael Nickerson, of the Centreville Police Department, were shot and killed after responding to a noise complaint in the 300 block of Hammond Street.

The two officers and a state trooper had responded to the complaint and had been given permission to enter the mobile home by the suspect's mother, who lived across the street. The officers were in a screened-in porch and had identified themselves when the man told them not to come in or they would get hurt. When the officers opened the door, the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Deputy Schwenz and Officer Nickerson.

The state trooper dragged Officer Nickerson off of the porch and was attempting to revive him when the man attacked him. The trooper was able to overpower the man and place him under arrest.

The man was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder on May 24th, 2002, and was sentenced to death. He was also sentenced to life without parole for the attempted murder of the state trooper. He died in prison on November 17th, 2002.

Deputy Schwenz had served with the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office for 18 months and had previously served as a seasonal police officer with the Ocean City Police Department. He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother.