Garner, N.C. — A community in central North Carolina is in mourning after WakeMed Campus Police Officer Roger Smith was shot and killed during a confrontation in the emergency department lobby of WakeMed Garner Healthplex on Saturday morning. Authorities confirmed that 29-year-old Benji Martin Jr. has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting.
According to statements from the Garner Police Department, the incident occurred around 9 a.m., when Officer Smith became involved in a struggle with a man inside the hospital’s emergency area. The details surrounding what led to the altercation have not yet been released, but officials confirmed that a firearm was discharged during the encounter, fatally wounding the officer.
WakeMed issued a statement calling Smith’s death “a devastating loss,” describing him as a dedicated officer who served “with professionalism, compassion, and courage.” Officer Smith was part of the WakeMed Campus Police Department, a specialized force that patrols the healthcare system’s six medical facilities. These officers are fully sworn under state law, receiving the same training as municipal police.
Garner Police Chief Lorie Adams expressed heartbreak at the news, saying, “Officer Smith dedicated his career to protecting others, and even in his final moments, he put the safety of others before his own. Our condolences go out to his family, his fellow officers, and the entire WakeMed community.”
The emergency department lobby was immediately closed after the shooting as state and local investigators began collecting evidence.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also paid tribute on social media, writing, “Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, and we are forever grateful for Officer Smith’s sacrifice.”
Residents in Garner, a tight-knit city just south of Raleigh with about 31,000 people, have begun placing flowers and blue ribbons outside the Healthplex and local police headquarters. The tragedy has reignited discussions around the safety of hospital staff and law enforcement officers who serve in high-stress, unpredictable environments.
As the investigation continues, WakeMed and the Garner Police Department have urged the public to respect the privacy of the Smith family. Plans for a memorial service are expected to be announced in the coming days.
