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Incident
Officer Christopher Nicholson was shot and killed while responding to assist members of the Washington County Sheriff's Office at a call involving reports that a man had just murdered his girlfriend during a domestic disturbance.
The officer parked his patrol car a short distance away from the home to wait for additional units to arrive. As he waited, the suspect drove towards his patrol car and then opened fire as he pulled even to the officer's door. A rifled slug struck Officer Nicholson in the chest above his vest at the arm pit area.
Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Nicholson was able to return fire, emptying his service weapon into the suspect's car as he fled.
The suspect fled into a nearby cemetery, where he engaged members of the Special Response Team in a shootout. The man was wounded and taken into custody; he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Officer Nicholson was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Officer Nicholson had served with the Smithsburg Police Department for just over 1 year and had previously served with the Maryland Division of Correction.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, father, brother, and girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Nicholson gave the Smithsburg Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Smithsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Nicholson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Christopher is the only officer of Smithsburg Police Department remembered here.
Christopher is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher 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 2007, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2007, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 25. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Christopher had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Christopher was 25. 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. Christopher had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Smithsburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Smithsburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.