GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guilford County Emergency Services officials say they respond to over 200 calls a day, but there is one that will forever stick with them.
On Saturday, Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Dale Nix was shot and killed after trying to stop a crime from happening at a Sheetz gas station.
Coincidently, a Guilford County Paramedic was at the scene and responded along with other emergency services personnel.
Guilford County Emergency Services Public Information Officer, Scott Muthersbaugh, said when tragic situations happen like this, there are plans in place to help those on the call to cope.
"We've got peer support network in our services, so a lot of times in situations like this, that team will reach out and ask what they need and also that team will reach out to the people on the call that day to see what they may need. That's where we really jump in and keep our providers both physically and mentally healthy," Muthersbaugh said.
Muthersbaugh said all six emergency personnel are continuing to work despite what has recently happened. However, Muthersbaugh said it has been an adjustment for the first responder community.
"It's a tough situation because it's the kind of thing where you never want to respond to a situation where you know someone or worked with, so it's been a tough time for all public service personnel, especially when it was unexpected because when you are going on a call, you can mentally prepare yourself, so our personnel are working through that additional challenge - it's an ongoing challenge and it's been a tough time for all personnel in the city," Muthersbaugh said.
Despite not directly working with Nix, Muthersbaugh said the former Sergeant was someone the emergency services would frequently run calls with.
"First responders are one big family, so we are out here to take care of the public, but we are also interacting with each other on a daily basis. So, Sergeant Nix was someone that we ran calls with routinely. He was involved with the Family Justice Center. He was a big part of the community and it's always tough to respond to call in a situation like that, that we have interacted with many times in the past," Muthersbaugh said.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Those wishing to pay their respects to the former sergeant can place flowers or light a candle at 100 E. Police Plaza.