RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell is pushing for the murder of Greensboro Police Sgt. Phillip Dale Nix to be classified as a “line-of-duty” death.
Nix lost his life on Dec. 30, 2023, while trying to thwart a theft of 10 cases of beer from a Sheetz convenience store on Sandy Ridge Road. Despite being off duty at the time, Nix’s actions align with the duties of a law enforcement officer.
The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) holds the power to decide if Nix’s death was in the line of duty. If the ruling favors Nix, his family would be entitled to an additional $200,000 in death benefits.
In a press release, Folwell emphasized the importance of supporting police officers who put their lives on the line, regardless of their on-duty status. He hailed Nix as a dedicated public servant, stating that the slain officer was embodying his duty to protect the community at the time of the fatal incident.
Furthermore, Folwell has petitioned North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and the NC Department of Justice to expedite any investigation related to Nix’s murder, ensuring a swift processing of death benefits to the grieving family.
Folwell’s call for urgency in the investigation is a testament to the value he places on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and the need to adequately compensate their families in the event of a tragedy.