Gov. Cooper orders flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Greensboro officer killed trying to stop crime

An off-duty Greensboro police officer shot and killed Saturday was trying to stop the suspects from stealing beer, according to court documents released on Monday.

The Greensboro Police Department is mourning the death of Sergeant Philip Dale Nix, a watch commander who was shot at a Sheetz located at 3202 Sandy Ridge Road. Nix was off duty at the time and not in uniform.

In the days following his death, members of the community placed flowers and cards on an SUV parked outside Greensboro police headquarters to honor Nix and share their support for his friends, coworkers and loved ones. Nix had been with the department for 23 years.

Jamere Foster, 18, was charged with the veteran officer's first-degree murder. A warrant indicates Foster stole "several Modelo beer cases" valued at roughly $83 the day Nix was killed.

Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, and John Walter Morrison, 28, was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.

The warrants for their arrests refer to Blackwell telling Foster that "they needed to get out of there because he just killed a cop." Investigators allege that Blackwell and Morrison went with Foster to sell the beer and buy drugs, and the trio discussed the need to dispose the gun used in the shooting and the registration plate of the suspect vehicle.

After a Blue Alert was issued statewide, the suspects were found in Winston-Salem and arrested by Greensboro officers with assistance from Winston-Salem police.

The alert system went into law in North Carolina in 2016 to notify the public to be on the lookout for suspects when an officer is seriously hurt or killed. Blue Alerts can also be issued when a suspect poses an imminent and credible threat to law enforcement or when an officer is missing in the line of duty.

According to state archives, Saturday was the first time a Blue Alert was used.

'Never off duty'

Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said another off-duty officer and a Guilford County paramedic at the gas station tried to save Nix, but he died at the hospital.

Zack Matheny, a member of Greensboro City Council, said it's in an officer's nature to step in even when off duty.

"The integrity that our women and men have ... they're never off duty," Matheny said. "He was off duty, but he wasn't off duty ... [he was] a person of integrity that tried to do the right thing."

"Officers are willing to serve no matter what they're doing, where they're at," explained retired Durham Police Capt. Robert Gaddy. "I think that's one of the things that makes us different from many other professions."

Matheny told WRAL News he had met Nix numerous times. Nix, who had a teenage son, was described by his peers as a loving husband, father, son and brother.

"He cared about this community ... and he loved his family 10 times more than he loved this community," Matheny said. "So I hope they can feel his arms wrapped around them."

According to the Greensboro Police Department, Nix worked many assignments, including criminal investigations, as a detective, a patrol sergeant, and most recently-supervisor of the family victims unit. He was also a team leader for the department's peer support team for more than 12 years.

Foster, who faces a first-degree murder charge, also faces charges of larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Foster and Morrison are being held without bond. Blackwell is being held on a $500,000 bond.

The three are all from Winston-Salem and are due in court Jan. 2.

Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

"We ask for prayers for the family of the fallen officer and our Greensboro PD family," Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said during a press conference.

"When you lose a loved one that was serving our community to make not only us safe, my children safe, your children safe, the community safe, it's gut-wrenching," Matheny said. "I don't make resolutions, but I do today ... just be thankful for what we've got. Be appreciative and love a little bit more, because we know what it's like to have loss."

Greensboro officer shot, state leaders react

Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Nix. This will remain in effect until sunset on Wednesday.

"Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and friends," Cooper said in a statement. "I’m grateful to those working to bring justice in this tragic act of violence."

Gov. Cooper also provided a statement Saturday on X (formerly Twitter):

"I spoke with Greensboro Police Chief Thompson earlier this evening offering all available state resources to catch those who killed a Greensboro police officer. Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and loved ones. Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation."

Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead released a statement on Sunday regarding Nix's murder.

"Law enforcement is a family, and it is during times like these when we are all reminded about the importance of what we do," he said. "The Durham County Sheriff’s Office sends our deepest condolences to the officer’s family, members of GPD, and the entire community of Greensboro in the wake of this horrific and senseless tragedy."

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughn spoke at the press conference on Saturday.

"I am angry, and I am sad," Vaughn said at the press conference. "I think those feelings are felt throughout this department and the city."

Vaughn said it is one of the hardest things she's ever faced as Greensboro's mayor.

"There's really nothing I can say that's going to give the family or the officers any comfort," she said. "What happened today was a senseless act of violence, and we have to remember that."

The Wake County Sheriff's Office provided a post on both Facebook and X in solidarity with the Greensboro Police Department, expressing their deepest condolences to the police department and Greensboro community.

Lt. Governor and Gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson said his office is ready to assist the Greensboro Police Department in anyway they can.

"Yolanda and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this fallen officer, and the entire Greensboro Police Department," Robinson said in a statement. "We honor this brave officer for making the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our city. I ask all of North Carolina to join us in lifting the officers’ loved ones and the Greensboro PD up in prayer. Let us recommit to supporting law enforcement in this heartbreaking moment."

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein also shared a statement on X:

"My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of the Greensboro police officer who was murdered this afternoon. Please join me in praying for them and for the immediate capture of the killers. We owe so much to law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep us safe."