Philip Dale Nix: Off-duty North Carolina sergeant killed while confronting crime suspects at gas station

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: Sergeant Philip Dale Nix, an off-duty veteran officer with over 23 years of service with the Greensboro Police Department, was fatally shot while attempting to intervene in a crime at a local gas station.

The incident unfolded at the Sheetz location on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax when Sgt. Nix "witnessed a crime occurring" around 4 pm on Saturday, December 30, 2023, and decided to take action, according to Chief John Thompson.

"The officer approached the suspects and was subsequently shot," Chief Thompson revealed.

Despite immediate efforts by another off-duty officer and a paramedic present at the scene, Sgt Nix succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local medical facility.

Who are the suspects involved in shooting incident?

The three suspects involved in the shooting, all from Winston-Salem, were apprehended on Sunday, December 31.

Jamere Justice Foster, 18, faces charges of first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, is held without bond on charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny. John Walter Morrison, 28, faces charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and is held on a $500,000 bond.

Police department mourns fallen officer

Earlier, police issued an alert seeking a black Chevrolet Equinox, but it was canceled later on. The loss of Sgt. Nix, described as a "loving husband, father, son, and brother", has deeply affected the Greensboro Police Department.

Chief Thompson requested prayers for the fallen officer's family and the entire police family.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper expressed condolences and offered state resources to aid in the pursuit of justice. "Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and loved ones," New York Post reported.

"Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation," the Governor added.

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan referred to the callous deadly shooting as “one of the hardest things I’ve faced as mayor".

“Words are inadequate right now. There’s really, nothing I can say that’s going to give the family or officers any comfort. What happened today is a senseless act of violence and we have to remember that.”