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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
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- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greensboro Police Department has lost 14 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Philip is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Philip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Philip is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 1 officer at Greensboro Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2023, 1 officer in NC was killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 2023, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2023, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Philip was 50. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Greensboro Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 47; the middle age was 42. Philip had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Philip was 50. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Philip had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Philip was 50. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 28.6% of these deaths at Greensboro Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.3%.
December holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 14 deaths at Greensboro Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Greensboro Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Philip among them.
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William T. McCuiston
May 4, 1921
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Andrew C. Calhoun
May 29, 1921
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Elmer E. Honeycutt
Jun 15, 1924
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Joe R. Massey
May 31, 1959
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Edward Ford
Jun 8, 1962
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Joseph Gibbs Cooper
Aug 23, 1970
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Arthur Glenn Craft, Jr.
Feb 14, 1974
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Michael Gray Winslow
Jun 27, 1978
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Porter Link Robinson
Nov 23, 1992
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David L. Taylor
Aug 7, 2001
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Jared William Franks
Nov 10, 2018
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Donald Carter Webb Jr.
Jun 28, 2022
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Philip Dale Nix
Dec 30, 2023
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Michael Horan
Dec 23, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Greensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
