Guilford County Family Justice Center Honors Legacy of Sgt. Dale Nix with Inaugural Partner of the Year Award

Guilford County

The Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC) proudly presented the inaugural Sgt. Dale Nix Partner of the Year Award during its 10th Anniversary Breakfast on Friday, June 6, to Paige Gilliard, director of the Custody Advocacy Program at the Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina.

The award honors the memory and legacy of the late Sergeant Dale Nix, who led the Greensboro Police Department’s Family Victims Unit at the FJC for over six years. His leadership, mentorship, and impact were remarkable as he supported thousands of victims of abuse and empowered FJC partners, including law enforcement, nationwide.   

The Sgt. Dale Nix Partner of the Year Award serves not only as a tribute to his legacy but also shines a light on those within the FJC partnership who hold the values of collaboration, passion, dedication, and kindheartedness, all values that Sgt. Nix demonstrated and championed during his work with the FJC. 

A steadfast partner since the FJC was established 10 years ago, Gilliard has played a vital role in strengthening youth programming, including helping launch Camp HOPE, a weeklong camping and mentoring program for children impacted by violence and abuse. Since its beginning in 2016, Gilliard has volunteered every year, making sure each child feels safe, valued, and supported.

“This award reflects many of the heroic traits Sgt. Nix demonstrated daily in his leadership role at the FJC. Our team and his family wanted to find a meaningful way to honor Sgt. Nix by amplifying core values that make collaboration successful,” said Catherine Johnson, director of the Guilford County FJC. “Sgt. Nix believed deeply in the power of collaboration and the importance of every professional doing their part with compassion and commitment. For the last decade, Paige Gilliard has been a key partner of the FJC, staying committed to Camp HOPE and the children we serve. Her dedication to children, her leadership, and her unwavering heart for service continue to uplift families impacted by violence and abuse, just as Sgt. Nix would have wanted.”

Visit guilfordcountync.gov/fjc to learn more about the FJC and Camp HOPE.