Garner, N.C. — The Garner community is coming to terms with a devastating loss after Officer Roger Smith, a longtime public safety officer with WakeMed’s Campus Police Department, died following a violent incident inside the emergency department lobby of WakeMed Garner Healthplex. What began as a routine Saturday morning quickly turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that has shaken residents and law enforcement across Wake County.

Authorities say the fatal encounter unfolded just after 9 a.m., when 29-year-old Benji Martin Jr. became involved in a physical struggle with Officer Smith inside the hospital lobby. During the confrontation, Smith was shot. Despite the efforts of on-site medical teams who rushed to save him, Smith died from his injuries a short time later.

Martin was also wounded in the struggle and was taken for treatment. After days in the hospital, he was formally charged with murder and transported to the Wake County Detention Center, where he now awaits trial.

A Veteran Officer Remembered for Kindness and Quiet Heroism

Officer Smith’s death has left a deep emotional mark on the community he served for decades. The 59-year-old officer was a familiar face to many — calm, steady, and always quick with a warm greeting. Before joining WakeMed’s Campus Police Department 14 years ago, he served nearly two decades with Knightdale Police.

WakeMed leaders described him as “the type of officer people trusted immediately,” noting that Smith had a reputation for compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to public safety.

“He will be remembered for his kindness, his work ethic, and his heroism,” the hospital said in a statement. “Roger meant so much to this community.”

To honor him, law-enforcement officers from across the region formed a solemn procession that escorted his body from the hospital to the Medical Examiner’s Office — a tradition reserved for those who have served with distinction.

Blue ribbons, flowers, and handwritten notes now line the front steps of the Garner Police Department as residents stop by to pay their respects, some quietly mourning, others offering prayers for the Smith family.

Questions and Heartache Surround the Case

While the community grieves, investigators continue examining exactly what led to the deadly confrontation. Witness accounts and early statements suggest Martin may have been experiencing a mental health crisis when he arrived at the hospital that morning. Friends of the suspect say he had recently endured personal trauma and that he had sought help at WakeMed in the past.

Supporters of Martin have publicly urged authorities to release the hospital’s security footage, hoping it will clarify how the struggle began and who fired the fatal shot. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the gun used belonged to Officer Smith or to someone else.

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is working closely with Garner Police to reconstruct the moments leading up to the shooting. Officials say they will share more information once the review of evidence is complete.

A Town United in Sorrow

For now, the focus for many is on healing. The loss of Officer Smith — a man described as gentle, humble, and deeply committed to his work — has left a void that will not soon be filled.

Neighbors have organized candlelight gatherings and online memorials, sharing stories of Smith’s quiet acts of kindness: checking on elderly residents, comforting frightened patients, or stepping in wherever help was needed, even off-duty.

“He was the kind of officer who made people feel safe just by being there,” one resident said. “Losing him this way is unbearable.”

As court proceedings move forward against Martin, the community remains both heartbroken and hopeful — heartbroken for the life lost, and hopeful that transparency, truth, and justice will prevail.