COLFAX, N.C. — A community is mourning the loss of a Greensboro police officer after he was killed in a shooting at the Sheetz gas station on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax.
Sergeant Philip Dale Nix was off-duty on Dec. 30 when he saw a crime in progress, tried to stop it, and was shot. Coincidently, another off-duty officer and a Guilford County paramedic were on the scene. They rushed to help Sgt. Nix, but he later died at the hospital.
Sgt. Nix served the city faithfully for 23 years.
During his time with GPD, Sgt. Nix worked as a Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Detective, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Police Training Officer, and Financial Crimes Detective, and his most current assignment was as Supervisor of the Family Victims Unit.
As Supervisor of the Family Victims Unit, he served as part of the Elder Justice Committee and the Domestic Violence High-Risk Team and routinely assisted with the Friends Against Fraud and Vital Signs Programs.
The Greensboro Police Officer Association is fundraising for Sgt. Nix's memorial.
The vice president said the organization wants to help his immediate family by providing food, financial aid, and support.
"We're here to help as a community to take care of the family of Officer Nix. He gave a sacrifice for his community," Sgt. Ben Wingfield said.
Sgt. Nix was also a Team Leader for the Peer Support Team for over 12 years and was the current Assistant Team Leader of the GPD Honor Guard.
He had been a member of the US Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Identity Theft Task Force.
He was also one of Guilford County’s leading experts on Non-Fatal Strangulation Investigation.
Sgt. Nix received his BA from UNCG and was awarded several awards including the Greensboro Merchant Association’s Crime Prevention Award, his Department’s Superior Service Bar, and an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate.
Greensboro Fire Department said Sgt. Nix had several family members currently in the GFD and other family members who have retired from the GFD.
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