A Winston-Salem man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Dale Nix. The shooting occurred more than two years ago. Sgt. Dale Nix was fatally shot on Dec. 30, 2024, at the Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax while confronting suspected shoplifters.Jamere Justice Foster, 20, also pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon.“Sergeant Nix not only wore our badge, he embodied what it meant to serve and protect, with honor and integrity and compassion,” Greensboro Police Chief Thompson said while reading from a statement during the hearing. “Sergeant Nix should still be here. With his family. With his colleagues. With the victims in our community, he worked daily to support. He was an exceptional person and was one of the finest law enforcement officers in the Triad.” In the plea arrangement, Foster will receive an active sentence on the following: second-degree murder (a Class B1 felony) of 240 months to 300 months in prison robbery with a dangerous weapon (a Class D felony) of 64 months to 89 months in prisonThe sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 304 months to 389 months in prison.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here Nix family shares statement following today’s hearing:”Our family is grateful that a plea agreement has been reached, sparing us and our community the pain of a prolonged trial. While this outcome cannot bring Dale back, it provides a measure of accountability and allows us to continue the long process of healing.Dale was a devoted husband, father, and public servant who lived his life with integrity, compassion, and service to others. He loved his family deeply and served his community with honor.We thank the District Attorney’s Office, the Greensboro Police Department, the Guilford County Family Justice Center, and all who supported the investigation and provided care and support to our family in so many meaningful ways during this unimaginable loss. We ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and focus on honoring Dale’s life and legacy.”WXII 12’s Bethany Cates sat down with Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson as he described his viewpoint from within the courtroom:”It’s been two years and it seems like it was yesterday,” said Chief John Thompson as he reflected on Friday’s hearing involving Sgt. Dale Nix.He said, “there were a lot of tears and as we reflected on Sgt. Nix and his life and his impact, very emotional.” Thompson said the family expressed many emotions as they entered the courtroom.”The discussions about a plea agreement are always involving the family,” said Thompson. He added, “the family has to weigh the acceptance of the plea agreement versus a trial.Thompson said there are very significant conversations families have to have as trials can potentially bring up additional trauma having to revisit the day, hearing people testify.”I truly support the Nix family and the decision they made because that was the best thing for their family,” said Thompson. He added, “but I also know that they didn’t just look at it through the lens of their family they knew how much Sgt. Nix meant to this community.”Lastly, he added, this unleashed a wave of emotions bringing many back to Dec. 30, 2023.”It was ripping that band-aid off again and kind of revisiting that hurt that we all felt,” said Thompson. “I think it’s kind of hard to describe the impact it’s had on us as an organization,” he added.RELATED COVERAGE Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
A Winston-Salem man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Dale Nix.
The shooting occurred more than two years ago. Sgt. Dale Nix was fatally shot on Dec. 30, 2024, at the Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax while confronting suspected shoplifters.
Jamere Justice Foster, 20, also pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon.
“Sergeant Nix not only wore our badge, he embodied what it meant to serve and protect, with honor and integrity and compassion,” Greensboro Police Chief Thompson said while reading from a statement during the hearing. “Sergeant Nix should still be here. With his family. With his colleagues. With the victims in our community, he worked daily to support. He was an exceptional person and was one of the finest law enforcement officers in the Triad.”
In the plea arrangement, Foster will receive an active sentence on the following:
second-degree murder (a Class B1 felony) of 240 months to 300 months in prison robbery with a dangerous weapon (a Class D felony) of 64 months to 89 months in prison
The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 304 months to 389 months in prison.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
Nix family shares statement following today’s hearing:
“Our family is grateful that a plea agreement has been reached, sparing us and our community the pain of a prolonged trial. While this outcome cannot bring Dale back, it provides a measure of accountability and allows us to continue the long process of healing.
Dale was a devoted husband, father, and public servant who lived his life with integrity, compassion, and service to others. He loved his family deeply and served his community with honor.
We thank the District Attorney’s Office, the Greensboro Police Department, the Guilford County Family Justice Center, and all who supported the investigation and provided care and support to our family in so many meaningful ways during this unimaginable loss. We ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and focus on honoring Dale’s life and legacy.”
WXII 12’s Bethany Cates sat down with Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson as he described his viewpoint from within the courtroom:
“It’s been two years and it seems like it was yesterday,” said Chief John Thompson as he reflected on Friday’s hearing involving Sgt. Dale Nix.
He said, “there were a lot of tears and as we reflected on Sgt. Nix and his life and his impact, very emotional.” Thompson said the family expressed many emotions as they entered the courtroom.
“The discussions about a plea agreement are always involving the family,” said Thompson. He added, “the family has to weigh the acceptance of the plea agreement versus a trial.
Thompson said there are very significant conversations families have to have as trials can potentially bring up additional trauma having to revisit the day, hearing people testify.
“I truly support the Nix family and the decision they made because that was the best thing for their family,” said Thompson. He added, “but I also know that they didn’t just look at it through the lens of their family they knew how much Sgt. Nix meant to this community.”
Lastly, he added, this unleashed a wave of emotions bringing many back to Dec. 30, 2023.
“It was ripping that band-aid off again and kind of revisiting that hurt that we all felt,” said Thompson. “I think it’s kind of hard to describe the impact it’s had on us as an organization,” he added.
RELATED COVERAGE
Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.