Maryland corrections officer killed in crash hours after retirement

People reports that Master Corporal John Raymond Nicholson, 57, a Prince George's County corrections officer from Laurel, Maryland, was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Crofton on Dec. 31, 2025 — the same day he officially retired. The Prince George's County Department of Corrections announced Nicholson's death on Facebook, saying a retirement celebration was held for him at the facility on Wednesday and sharing photos of him smiling with coworkers.

The department called him “Big Nic,” said he worked in multiple areas with his most recent assignment in reception — where “he greeted everyone as they entered the facility” — and noted he earned numerous awards, including a Valor Award while on the Emergency Response Team. The post added, “Many people don’t get to receive their ‘flowers’ while they can still smell them,” and said the department was able to give him “his well-deserved flowers.” According to a release from the Anne Arundel County Police Department, officers responded at approximately 7:40 p.m.

on Dec. 31 to a crash in the area of Crain Highway North at Defense Highway in Crofton, where a 2020 Dodge pickup left the roadway, struck a pole in the center lane and came to rest. Police identified the sole occupant as Nicholson; he was pronounced dead at the scene by the fire department and the Traffic Safety Crash Team is investigating.

Key Topics

World, John Raymond Nicholson, Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, Crofton, Laurel Maryland