GREENSBORO, N.C. — A memorial is set up outside of Greensboro Police's Department for Sergeant Philip Dale Nix Monday.
The off-duty officer was shot and killed while trying to stop a crime at a Sheetz gas station over the weekend. Officers have three suspects in custody, connected to his killing.
Alongside family and coworkers of Sgt. Nix's, several members of the Greensboro community are also expressing their condolences.
WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman was out at the memorial site for several hours watching people place down flowers on the memorial and even pray around it.
One lifelong resident of Greensboro said she was both shocked and saddened by the news when she received the Blue Alert. That's why she felt the need to show her support here tonight and observe the memorial. She said any death in the community is sad but it's especially sad to see an officer killed.
"I live here and I mean, I hate to see anybody get killed. People get killed over nothing today... they really do," said Penny Payne, lifelong Greensboro resident and memorial visitor.
Investigators said Sgt. Nix was off-duty Saturday afternoon, December 30, 2023, when he saw a crime in progress at the Sheetz gas station on Sandy Ridge Road. He tried to stop it, and was shot.
At a press conference held Saturday night, just hours after the death of Sgt. Nix, Greensboro Police remembered him as a loving husband and father.
Another Greensboro resident and memorial visitor calls the killing of Sgt. Nix senseless. She said she wants answers and a plan for the future from local leaders, "we've seen what's happened to Greensboro… obviously the crime rate has gone up, that's no secret. I feel like more can be done, I think we just need stronger leadership, more common-sense leadership," said Kristi Luther, Greensboro resident and memorial visitor.
A police academy student, as well as his wife and children visited to pay their respects after hearing about the tragedy. The student expressed to WFMY News 2 just how devastating this situation is and felt it was necessary to bring his family by and say their goodbyes to Sgt. Nix.