State Treasurer Dale Folwell is recommending a death benefit usually reserved for officers killed in the line of duty be granted to Greensboro police Sergeant Dale Nix, who was shot and killed as he tried to intervene in a theft while off duty.
Folwell made the request in a letter to the chairman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Under the Public Safety Employees’ Death Benefits Act, the commission can provide a $100,000 death benefit when a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, and an additional $100,000 when an officer is murdered in the line of duty.
Folwell argues both of those benefits are appropriate in the killing of Sgt. Nix. On December 30, Nix was at a gas station in Colfax when a group of people attempted to steal beer. He was shot to death when he tried to intervene.
Folwell says his office does not make the determination of death benefit qualifications but the state treasurer would make the payments according to what the commission decides.
Nix had been with the Greensboro Police Department for more than 20 years and was known for his work on behalf of crime victims.
Three people have been charged in connection with Nix’s death.