GREENSBORO, N.C. — This year's fallen law enforcement memorial was especially difficult in light of Sgt. Philip Dale Nix's shooting death and the tragedy in Charlotte.
The ceremony honored the lives of 26 Guilford County law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
This year, Sgt. Nix's name was added to the memorial that sits in front of the Greensboro City Hall. Sgt. Nix was shot last December at Sheetz in Colfax while trying to stop a robbery.
"It's very difficult, especially when we have the loss of one of our own with Sgt. Philip Nix, and really, for me, it's what makes it hard is to see his family having to grieve that loss. He was part of our police family, but he was a son, father, brother, husband, and that really connects with me personally," said Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson.
The memorial included a 21-gun salute, and a rose was placed on a wreath honoring each fallen officer.
The first GPD officer killed in the line of duty dates back to 1924. And still, to this day, knowing the risk, hundreds of Triad men and women continue to answer the call.
"I can't imagine some of my previous assignments, undercover narcotics, what my wife felt every day I went to work; it's just our families sacrifice a lot," said High Point Interim Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III.
Greensboro's Chief Thompson said the department is healing from the loss of Sgt. Nix, but the grieving process is different for everyone. Many say time heals all wounds, but Chief Thompson reminded that officers don't have much, time. Their mission is to get back to work and keep the community safe.