GREENSBORO, N.C. — Hundreds of cars and motorcycles filled the Greensboro Coliseum parking lot early January 14th.
A North Carolina based non-profit Operation Fly our Flag hosted a memorial ride for fallen GPD Sergeant Philip Dale Nix.
The fleet of vehicles stretched miles throughout Greensboro.
The non-profit's founder said the memorial ride signifies the work first responders do for their communities.
"We have love, and appreciation for the people that put on uniform. They sacrifice things, even parts of their mental state that the general public doesn't get to see," Founder Nathan Sheppard said.
Melissa Bowick and her husband rode for Sgt. Nix today. She trained with the fallen GPD sergeant and said the healing process has only just begun.
"He ultimately paid the price with his life. We are forever grateful for his sacrifice as well as the other officers that have lost their lives in the line of service," Bowick said, "Dale will live on in all of us."
Sgt. Nix's family was among the crowd.
The organizer said the impact of the memorial ride shows community support in a time of grief.
"I hope that, even in the quiet moments when all of the noise calms down. The family can reflect that this is a memory that the community of this many people came together to honor their Dale our Sgt. Nix," Sheppard said.
Sgt. Nix passed December 30th while trying to stop a crime at a Sheetz gas station on Sandy Ridge Road. He was off duty at the time.