Police Sgt.Philip Dale Nix

Sergeant Philip Dale Nix of the Greensboro Police Department was killed on December 30, 2023, in the line of duty. Services will be held on Thursday, January 11th at 2 pm at Westover Church, 505 Muirs Chapel Rd.

Sgt. Nix was born February 2, 1973, in Greensboro, NC, to a devoted family of first responders and public safety professionals. He graduated from Smith High School in 1991 and attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earning a degree in English. After college, Sgt. Nix began his public service career as a 911 Telecommunicator, learning critical crisis response and de-escalation skills. Sgt. Nix joined the Greensboro Police Department (GPD) in the 79th PBIC Academy in 2001. From the beginning, Sgt. Nix was identified as a leader amongst his peers. During his 22-year tenure with GPD, Sgt. Nix contributed in countless ways, including as a Financial Crimes Detective, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, and Police Training Officer. For the last six years, Sgt. Nix was the Detective Sergeant of the Family Victims Unit (FVU), which investigates child abuse, domestic and sexual violence, and elder abuse from the Guilford County Family Justice Center. Sgt. Nix often shared that leading FVU and working with the FJC partners revitalized his career. His passion for serving victims of abuse, coupled with his exceptional collaborative skills, impacted thousands in the community. Due to his diverse police experience and approachable demeanor, Sgt. Nix’s expertise was sought throughout the department, community, and beyond. He was a nationally recognized leader through his work with the National Family Justice Center Alliance and the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention. Regularly, Sgt. Nix was invited to present on homicide prevention and intervention with his close friend, Sonya Desai, the Manager of the Greensboro location of the Family Justice Center.

Sgt. Nix was known to go above and beyond the call of duty. In addition to his job responsibilities, Sgt. Nix proudly served as a team leader with GPD’s honor guard and was a peer support team member. He received several departmental awards, including the Greensboro Merchant Association’s Crime Prevention Award, the Department’s Superior Service Bar, and an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate. He represented the GPD in many community committees and events, including the FJC’s Elder Justice Leadership Committee, Co-Chair of the FJC’s High Risk Case Review Team, and a faculty member of the Alliance for HOPE International’s Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention.

Sgt. Nix gave hope to all with whom he interacted. He was loyal to his service and worked with the highest integrity to do whatever it took to finish a job. While he loved the Greensboro Police Department, his greatest love was for his family. Sgt. Nix and his wife Kelly Smith Nix married in 2003 and maintained their roots in Greensboro, raising their son Will. Sgt. Nix was a dedicated husband and father and prioritized this role above all. He often referenced his family as a team. At home, Sgt. Nix’s mantra was, “It’s us against the world”. Sgt. Nix was so proud of his son Will; they loved spending time together. Sgt. Nix was the ultimate caretaker and spent many hours doing home projects and remodeling. In addition, Sgt. Nix was an avid reader.

Sgt. Nix is survived by his wife of 20 years, Kelly Nix, and his son William “Will” Nix; mother, Sue Nix and father, Eddie Nix; brother, Dan Nix and wife Amy; niece Riley Nix, nephews Brody Nix, Zach May, and Aiden McHenry; Sister-in law Karen and brother-in-law Jack Orrell; nephew Thomas Orrell; and mother-in-law Charlene Smith. Sgt. Nix is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Tom Smith; maternal grandparents, O.D. and Mildred Turner; and his paternal grandparents, C.R. and Betty Jo Nix.

The loss of such an amazing officer and family man has resonated nationally. Sgt. Nix exemplified an outstanding officer and man: protective, caring, dedicated, grounding, and purposeful. He was a lifesaver and difference-maker. His life was taken as he confronted evil and protected the innocent. However, his impact on his family, community, and nation lives on.

If you want to contribute to the family, please visit https://helpahero.com/campaign/sergeant-philip-dale-nix-memorial-fund