Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Philip Nix was off duty when he was shot and killed when he attempted to intervene in a crime that he witnessed while at a gas station at 3202 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax.
One of the subjects involved in the crime shot Sergeant Nix before all the subjects fled in a vehicle to the nearby interstate. Another off-duty officer and an off-duty paramedic who were also at the gas station immediately rendered aid to Sergeant Nix, but he succumbed to his wounds.
Three suspects were arrested the following day in Winston-Salem. The man who shot Sergeant Nix was charged with first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny. The other two suspects were charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and other charges.
Sergeant Nix had served with the Greensboro Police Department for 23 years and was assigned to the Family Victims Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-733E5CED- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Nix gave the Greensboro Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Greensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Nix.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Philip Dale Nix is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Greensboro Police Department, 7 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Philip Dale Nix's cause is highlighted.
How Philip Dale Nix Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Philip Dale Nix is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Philip Dale Nix was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Greensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
