An off-duty police sergeant, Philip Dale Nix, was fatally shot in Greensboro, North Carolina, after intervening in a crime at a local gas station.
On December 31, 2023, Sergeant Nix, a 23-year veteran of the Greensboro Police Department, witnessed a theft at a Sheetz gas station and approached the suspects, leading to his fatal shooting.
Another off-duty officer and a paramedic, who were present at the scene, administered immediate aid to Nix. He was subsequently pronounced dead at a local medical facility.
The Greensboro Police Department, led by Chief John Thompson, issued a Blue Alert for two men in their 20s and a black Chevrolet Equinox. This alert, which is used when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed, was canceled approximately two hours after its issuance.
Following the shooting, three individuals were arrested and charged in connection with Sergeant Nix’s death. Jamere Justice Foster, 18, the accused gunman, has been charged with first-degree murder and larceny. Two other suspects, Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, and John Walter Morrison, 28, face charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, among other charges.
Court documents revealed that the suspects were attempting to steal beer from the gas station, and planned to sell it to buy drugs. The value of the stolen beer was estimated at about $83. The three were arrested by the Winston-Salem Police Department
Chief Thompson, in a news conference, did not provide specific details about the crime witnessed by Nix or the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. However, he did acknowledge Nix’s contributions to the department and community, describing him as a dedicated officer and family man.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan expressed her condolences and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to bring the suspects to justice. She acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, recognizing the impact on the family and the police department.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also responded to the incident, offering state resources to assist in apprehending those responsible for the shooting.
Sergeant Nix, 50, was known for his service in the Greensboro Police Department’s Family Victims Unit. Following the incident, the local community began mourning his loss, with residents leaving tributes at the police headquarters.
The investigation into the shooting and the events leading up to it is ongoing.
Sergeant Nix leaves behind a wife and a teenage son.