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 Philip 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 men were arrested the following day in Winston-Salem. The man who shot Sergeant Philip Nix was charged with first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny. The other two subjects 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. He is survived by his wife, children, and parents.
Greensboro Police Department Press Release 1/2/24
UPDATE: Passing of Sergeant Philip Dale Nix / Arrests made
GREENSBORO, NC (December 31, 2023) – Yesterday, the Greensboro Police Department lost one of our own. Sergeant Philip Nix who served the city faithfully for 23 years was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. Sergeant Nix worked with GPD under many assignments including Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Detective, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, and his most current assignment was as Supervisor of the Family Victims Unit. He was also a Team Leader for the Peer Support Team for over 12 years and was the current Assistant Team Leader of the GPD Honor Guard.
We ask that all parties respect the family’s privacy in this difficult time and more information about donations to the family will be shared on our social media pages in the coming days.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with Sergeant Philip Nix’s death. Jamere Justice Foster, 18, Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, and John Walter Morrison, 28.
Foster is charged with First Degree Murder, Larceny, and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny and is held with no bond.
Blackwell is charged with Accessory after the fact to First Degree Murder and is held with a $500,000 bond.
Morrison is charged with Accessory after the fact to First Degree Murder, Larceny, and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny and is held without bond.
Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
The Greensboro Police Department wants to thank the Winston-Salem Police Department for assisting in making these arrests.
Greensboro Police Department Press Release 1/1/24
Press statement tonight from Chief Thompson:
Thank you for coming,
I want to thank Mayor Vaughn for joining us tonight representing the city council.
This evening, the Greensboro Police Department lost one of our own. Around 4 p.m. at the Sheetz located at 3202 Sandy Ridge Road, off-duty Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Nix witnessed a crime occurring. The officer approached the suspects and was subsequently shot. Another off-duty Greensboro Police officer and a Guilford County Paramedic were on scene and immediately rendered aid.
Sergeant Philip Nix was transported to a local medical facility where he succumbed to his injuries.
He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 23 years of service to the department. We ask for prayers for the family of the fallen officer and our Greensboro PD family. We would like to thank all of the organizations and leaders for offering condolences and assistance including Governor Cooper, Guilford County District Attorney’s Office, Secret Service, FBI, U.S. Marshal’s, ATF, DEA, SBI, SHP, Forsyth County Sherriff’s Office, Guilford County Sherriff’s Office, Winston-Salem Police Department, and the High Point Police Department.
We also would like to express our appreciation to our community partners and other organizations that have offered their condolences and support.
This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation and more information will be released in the coming days.