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Jason Charles Schwenz
Incident
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.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Schwenz gave the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Centreville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Schwenz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jason is the only officer of Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Jason is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Jason is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jason is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 4 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jason was 28. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Jason had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Jason was 28. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jason had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jason was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jason had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.3% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 15.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.