Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Mike,
Wow i can't believe how the time has gone by and everyday i think of you as i drive through town and see a patrol car or anywhere drinking a beer. You touched so many hearts in so many ways and years later you are still talked about everyday just like it was yesterday. I pass Albert every morning and we give our fellow waves and know that deep down your watching over us that day. Chris and I finally got married and put you in our prayers. I wrote your name in our memorial page so i know you were there. Every year in Feburary I make sure people know who Mike Nick is and what the FOP does. We always reminise about you and all the fun times we all shared. I miss ya bud, please keep watch over the guys ecspecially Jason. I meet up with agian someday. God Bless you and your family.

Lissa

Melissa Rhode-Litton

June 16, 2005

This is so sad! You were killed on my birthday. I send my love and compassion to all those who must go on without you. That is no easy task. Thanks for your service and sacrifice, though you were taken much too soon.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

February 2, 2005

Mike, you will never EVER be forgotten and you will always live on in the hearts of all who knew you.

For what you did of giving your own life trying to make this world a little safer is the main reason of why I wrote the following article for the newspaper.......

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Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don’t even know me hate me, just because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don’t even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don’t think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a “game.”

Since my job’s base pay isn’t the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off. Most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don’t they realize that I too must pay taxes, have a mortgage, car payments, and kids in college as well?

Don’t they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special “tools” to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I “beat someone down”, and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I “gunned someone down” or that I “shot and killed” somebody, not that I defended myself. Don’t they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

When I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.

And to the ones who don’t know me, I unfortunately will meet most of you at the worst times in your life. You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a “pig,” but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone’s rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect yours. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will never break.

What you ask is my job? I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you? Nothing at all because it is my job, and my hope of being the one who makes the difference.

- Paul Cotter, Lynn Mass PD

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The week of May 9th through the 15th 2004 is National Police Week in which the hundreds of thousands of police officers across this country are honored.

And the 17,155 brave men and woman who left their homes and family behind and went to work as police officers and never came home the next morning, are remembered...........

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(as of 12/10/2004 the number of police officers killed in the line of duty
protecting us has grown to 17,352)

Off. Paul Cotter
Lynn

December 10, 2004

Mike- not one day goes by that you arn't thought of. Your mom and dad are still there for us when we need them- they are such strong people! We all miss you so much. We miss walking in your house and seeing you sitting on the couch just a smilin'. Remember when you used to be our babysitter? Those were the days. You will be forever missed and always loved. Keep watching over us.

August 17, 2004

It has been 2 years 6 months and 5 days ago that you were taken. I remember it all to well. I wish that I could forget,but I can't. I will forever remember you. Wish you were still here with us. But one day I will meet you again.

FF Susan Martin
Kent Island Fire Dept

August 19, 2003

Mike...I know that I never told you this but since I was little and I would go with you to shoot trap I have always looked up to you. You were not just a friend to me you were a big brother that I lost. You were the brother that I never had. You ment a lot to me and seeing you always put a smile on my face no matter when I saw you, no matter what kind of a day I was having you always put me in a better mood. I think about you everyday and miss passing you on the road every morning because for the past three years I have passed you either on your way to or from work on my way to or from school. Sometimes both ways. You watched over me when you were here and you made sure that I stayed out of trouble and I know that you are watching over me right now making sure that I stay out of trouble. Everytime I would see your mom I would always ask how you were and I would tell her to tell you hi. Your are greatly missed by all of us. There are still times when dad talks about when he use to shoot with you and how much fun it was. Well until me meet again, I miss you very much and I will always remember and think of you and remember all the good and fun times we had together. With love, Jenny

Jenny Davis

Brother Mike,
This is another Website where everyone can say good things about YOU. I truly Have never heard a bad thing about you. It has been hard Mike. Everyday I think about you, and how this could have happened to you. This is not the way that I had thought things would end up. Eventually you, Pat and I would all work together somewhere, God help our employer if that ever happened. I try to keep my head up and think about ALL the FUN that we had. I miss that fun. You will never be forgotten by me. I will carry your name on forever. I will tell everyone I can about the good man that you are. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP US ALL. Jason

Pfc Jason E. Yiannakis
Chestertown Police Department

Micheal, I did not know you. However, I would like to share this story with every one.

On May 17, 2001, I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts for may daily dose of coffee. There were these two women that were lost and I proceeded to give them directions to where they needed to go. One of the women asked me if I was a Police Officer (due to my jacket). I advised her that I was retired. This woman reached into her purse and pulled something out. She introduced herself as Michael Nickerson's mother. My eyes filled up with tears, as Mrs. Nickerson gave me a pin with Michael's picture and a card. and I gave her my condolances and said Thank You and cried a little more.

God for some reason has brought us together and I thank him.

Retired Officer Kathy Irwin
Baltimore City Police

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people become friends and stay awhile... leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts... and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend. Mike was a good friend to many people whose lives he touched in a special way. I will never in all my life forget him, or the good times that i shared with him. Mike you were a great guy, and I am very saddened to have had you taken from us. You are greatly missed, an I can't wait to see you again someday.

See you soon buddy!!

With Love,

Byrd

Amanda Maloney

ALTHOUGH MY TIME IN KNOWING YOU WAS BRIEF, I LOVE HEARING THE MEMORIES THAT RICKY AND FELLOW OFFICERS SHARE ABOUT YOU.

YOU SEEMED TO BE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY WHERE EVER YOU WENT.

I HAVE GONE TO A FEW EVENTS IN YOUR HONOR AND THE LOVE IN THAT ROOM FOR YOU WAS OVERWHELMING. WHEN THEY WOULD SPEAK OF MEMORIES OF YOU, THERE WAS NOT A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE.

THESE EVENTS ARE PUT ON TO KEEP YOUR NAME ALIVE, BUT BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I WILL DO MY PART TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR FUND, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR PART. WHEN THE SONG, "YOU ARE MY ANGLE" SAYS "WHO'S GONNA HAVE YOUR BACK WHEN IT'S ALL DONE", PLEASE LET THAT BE YOU!!!!!

WITH ALL MY LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,
DEBBIE AND RICKY STRONG

WIFE OF FELLOW OFFICER-DEBBIE STRONG

Mike,
I still think about you all of the time. I talked to Albert the other night and he put a smile on my face just like you always did. I know that you have been watching over me lately and keeping me safe. There have been some close calls as you know that you keep me out of. Keep watching over us and PLEASE keep Jason and Ope and the rest of the GUYS clear of danger. Love and MISS YOU ALWAYS. UNTIL WE MEEET AGAIN.

Dear Mike,
I knew for just a short time but everytime you came into the store I worked in you were always smiling. I remember you coming into get gas for your truck one of your other pride and joys. You never had a bad remark for anyone you would have gave anyone the shirt off your back If you thought It would help someone in a time of need. I miss you Mike very much. Your family has been very strong through all of this. I know you watch over all your fellow officers and everyone down here can't wait to see you again.
A good friend Debbie Lurch

Mike and family:
I went to the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial service this week in your honor and saw your name engraved. I hope your family has been able to make it there to visit, but I know they must be busy with the trial. Who would have guessed back in the academy that something like this would have happened. I also wanted your family to know that your picture sits in a chair in the back of our police academy classroom to remind our student officers of the sacrifice they may be called on to make. Lexi

Sgt. Marchesiello
University of Maryland Police

Michael:

I did not know you in life , however I have gotten to know you through your friends and family during the trial. It would have been a great honor to have worked with you. You are a hero, and will always be. May God bless you and your family.

Lieutenant Robin Roberts
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office

"Missing You" everyday! Your life and sacrifice has been honored in so many wonderful ways although we all still wish you were here. Always continue to watch over us all as we promise never to forget the sacrifice you made on that terrible night, February 13, 2001. We'll never forget the good times for you truly are an "Angel".
Mike Nick lives on in our hearts and our memories.

Anonymous

Hey Mike, There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and your family. Thanks for continuing to watch out over your fellow officers and giving us strength and motivation to continue our jobs. Thanks for watching out over me last week, you know what I'm talking about because you were there with me. I still miss you and I'm still so very proud of you. Keep the beer cold and I'll see you again sometime! Sean

Ofc. Sean Wm. Kille
MD. Natural Resources Police

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

Brother Mike,
I still visit the websites and read all the good things that people have to say about you everyday. I miss you man. I still have a lot of problems dealing with this entire incident. I will continue to tell everyone what a great person you are. Until we meet again
Jason

Pfc Jason E. Yiannakis
Chestertown Police

Mike,
Although I did not know you well, as someone hoping to enter the law enforcement community, I have been affected greatly by the loss of such a fantastic hero. Those that knew you tell such loving and entertaining stories. But we all know that although we needed you here so much, God needed you more. I'm sure it won't take you long to get your wings. I only hope that you're looking down on me as well.

Anonymous

Although I didnt know you, you are a true example of a hero to those of us out there serving each day. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and we think about you often. God bless!

Andrew
Baltimore City Police

Hey! Brother Mike, I am just writing to let you know that I still think about you everyday and I still try to maintain that fervor and desire that you had being a police officer, even though it is very difficult at times in this place. Every shift I work is dedicated to you and I hope Brother Phil and the rest of the family hang in there. Until we meet again, keep your watch over me. Peace BROTHER.

DFC. Steven Linz
Kent County Sheriff's Office, MD