Centreville Police Officer Michael Nickerson was killed in the line of duty on February 13, 2001 while responding to a noise complaint with Queen Anne's Sheriff's Department Deputy Jason C. Schwenz. The two officers responded to a Centreville, MD trailer park, and once on scene both were shot by suspect Francis M. Zito, who was immediately arrested by a Maryland State Trooper also on the scene. Officer Nickerson was flown to Shock Trauma where he died during surgery.
Officer Nickerson is the first Centreville officer to be killed in the line of duty. He had been with the Centerville Police for only one month after leaving a nearby department. He is survived by his fiancée and parents. At the time of his death, Nickerson was wearing a pin depicting an angel which was presented to his family the next day. Nickerson was 24 years old.