Sgt. Philip Dale Nix, 50, was shot and killed outside a gas station near Greensboro on Dec. 30, 2023. The community is coming together to remember Nix a year later, and a week after losing another Greensboro officer.

Nix was off duty when he tried to stop three people from stealing beer at the Sheetz convenience store on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax, a community outside of Greensboro.

An 18-year-old man was charged with murder in the case, and two others were charged with accessory after the fact.

Nix, a 23-year veteran of the Greensboro Police Department, is remembered as a devoted victim advocate and mentor. 

He led the police department’s family victims unit and worked closely with the Guilford County Family Justice Center.

Related article: 'Devoted guardian of the city': Slain Greensboro officer remembered as victim advocate, mentor

The North Carolina Family Justice Center honored Nix during its annual conference in Greensboro last month. The tribute honored Nix's service to the community and victims of abuse. 

Nix served the last six years of his career helping survivors of abuse and attended the conference every year.

Family Justice Center Director Catherine Johnson said Nix’s contributions were immeasurable.

“He was an incredible leader, and like a superstar, he bound us together and transformed how our family justice center works with law enforcement, and we trained family justice centers across our state on just that,” Johnson said at the conference.

Greensboro Police Officer Daniel Benotti said the tribute was meaningful and forwarded Nix’s legacy of service.

“Sgt. Nix was able to inspire everybody to put love and a personal passion into the job performance. It means a lot that his memory goes on. He still does embody the best of what the Greensboro Police Department has to offer,” Benotti said.

More than 400 workers in law enforcement, social services, mental health and local government used the conference to share initiatives aimed at ending abuse.

Related article: 'He was an incredible leader': Family Justice Center holds first conference since death of Sgt. Dale Nix

"Today we honor and remember Sergeant Philip Dale Nix," the Greensboro Police Department posted Monday.

The Greensboro community is grappling with the loss of another officer. Last week, a police officer was shot and killed inside a grocery store, according to the Greensboro Police Department. 

Officer Michael Horan was killed in a Food Lion on Lawndale Drive. Horan responded to a call about a man with a gun inside the grocery store at about 11 a.m. on Dec. 23, according to Assistant Chief MJ Harris. 

Police charged Tarell Isaac McMillian, 34, with first-degree murder in Horan's killing. 

Related article: Man accused of killing Greensboro police officer in grocery store shooting denied bond