GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The family of slain Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix will not need to worry about the mortgage on their home thanks to the kindness of a North Carolina nonprofit.
Greensboro Police Sgt. Dale Nix was shot on Dec. 30 at the Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road after he reportedly confronted people attempting to steal beer, according to the Greensboro Police Department. Jamere Justice Foster allegedly fired five shots at Nix, striking him twice. An off-duty officer and emergency responder rendered aid, but Nix died at an area hospital.
On Monday, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation revealed that it will pay off the family of the sergeant’s mortgage.
“Tunnel to Towers is honored to pay off the mortgage for the family of Sgt. Nix,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “We hope the knowledge they can stay in their home provides comfort to his family as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
Nix’s family is just one of the families this nonprofit has helped with its Tunnel to Towers Fallen Responder Home Program. The program pays off mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty and leave behind young children.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation also provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and builds specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
Larceny and murder
Nix was off-duty, but he had his badge and gun with him as he sat at the Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road, according to the district attorney. That’s when he noticed a car pull in.
Foster, 18, of Winston-Salem, and John Walter Morrison, 28, allegedly went into the store for 53 seconds, stealing five cases of beer each, which officials say they intended to sell. Warrants allege that around $83 worth of beer were stolen.
After the suspects left the store, Nix reportedly got up and approached the driver’s side door of the suspect vehicle. Foster is accused of firing five shots. Nix was struck twice in the back and side.
Blackwell allegedly talked about destroying evidence, including the gun and the registration plate of the suspect vehicle.
Foster is being charged with felony first-degree murder, misdemeanor larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.
Morrison and Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell, 18, are charged with felony accessory after the fact.
Remembering Sgt. Nix
Nix held many roles during his time with the Greensboro Police Department, including criminal investigations division detective, patrol corporal, patrol sergeant and his most current assignment was as supervisor of the Family Victims Unit, working closely with the Guilford County Family Justice Center. 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.
In Nix’s honor, Cooper ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at state facilities from the morning of Jan. 2 to sunset on Jan. 3.
The Greensboro Police Department escorted Nix’s body to Raleigh early on Jan. 3 and escorted it back later that afternoon. Federal, state and local law enforcement officers and first responders stood at overpasses throughout the route to pay their respects.
Help a Hero is hosting a fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds going to Nix’s family. The fundraiser has been endorsed by the Greensboro Police Officer’s Association. The fundraiser was launched on Dec. 31, 2023, and more than $18,000 has been donated as of Jan. 2.
