Topline: Authorities say the WakeMed campus police officer was killed while responding to a disturbance at the Garner Healthplex on Saturday morning.
Published: November 11, 2025 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Officer Roger Smith (via WakeMed)
GARNER, NC — A police officer was shot and killed Saturday morning in Garner while responding to a disturbance inside a local medical facility.
The Garner Police Department said officers were called around 9 a.m. to the emergency department lobby of the WakeMed Garner Healthplex, located off U.S. Highway 70, after reports of gunfire.
When they arrived, they found Officer Roger Smith, 59, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite “immediate life-saving efforts” by hospital staff and first responders, Smith died from his injuries, according to statements from both WakeMed and Garner Police.
Authorities later charged Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, with murder in connection with Smith’s death. The decision followed an investigation conducted in consultation with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, the Garner Police Department said in a Facebook post.
WakeMed said in a statement that Smith was working in the emergency department lobby when “a struggle ensued” before the shooting. Garner Police Capt. David Casteline told The News & Observer that Smith was responding to a disturbance when he was shot, saying the officer “died trying to save the lives of the workers here at WakeMed and other people that were in the lobby.”
Smith had served with WakeMed’s campus police for 14 years and previously worked with the Knightdale Police Department from 1997 to 2013, according to WTVD and Knightdale police officials. In a message posted Saturday, the Knightdale Police Department described him as “a local hero” and said, “Roger, we love you and you will be missed.”
Garner Police Chief Chris Adams called the killing “a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence.” In a statement shared by Garner Police and reported by local media, Adams said, “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 the Smith family, the WakeMed Campus Police Department, and the entire WakeMed staff. The Garner community mourns alongside you today.”
WakeMed spokesperson Debbie Laughery said patients already receiving treatment at the Garner facility were transferred to other WakeMed locations after the shooting. She added that “many heroes” stepped up to take quick action to secure the situation.
Law enforcement agencies across Wake County joined in honoring Smith on Saturday afternoon. According to WTVD, a procession of between 60 and 100 law enforcement and fire vehicles accompanied Smith’s body from WakeMed on New Bern Avenue to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said, “Though he did not wear a WCSO uniform, he will always be a part of our first responder family.”
Gov. Josh Stein also expressed condolences in a statement posted on social media, writing, “My heart goes out to the family of Officer Roger Smith, who was killed protecting patients and their families. Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, and we are forever grateful for Officer Smith’s sacrifice.”
Garner Police detectives are continuing to work with the State Bureau of Investigation, WakeMed Campus Police, and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office to piece together the events leading to the shooting.
“There’s a lot of details involved,” Capt. Casteline said. “Detectives are trying to piece all that together. They’ve interviewed witnesses, they’ve reviewed video surveillance, and they’re still trying to see what actually happened.”
WakeMed said additional staff and counselors remain on site to support hospital employees and campus police as the community mourns the loss of Officer Smith.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Officer Gunned Down in Hospital Lobby in North Carolina
Authorities say the WakeMed campus police officer was killed while responding to a disturbance at the Garner Healthplex on Saturday morning.
By Jacob Charles
Published: November 11, 2025 8:00 am ET
Officer Roger Smith (via WakeMed)
GARNER, NC — A police officer was shot and killed Saturday morning in Garner while responding to a disturbance inside a local medical facility.
The Garner Police Department said officers were called around 9 a.m. to the emergency department lobby of the WakeMed Garner Healthplex, located off U.S. Highway 70, after reports of gunfire.
When they arrived, they found Officer Roger Smith, 59, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite “immediate life-saving efforts” by hospital staff and first responders, Smith died from his injuries, according to statements from both WakeMed and Garner Police.
Authorities later charged Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, with murder in connection with Smith’s death. The decision followed an investigation conducted in consultation with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, the Garner Police Department said in a Facebook post.
WakeMed said in a statement that Smith was working in the emergency department lobby when “a struggle ensued” before the shooting. Garner Police Capt. David Casteline told The News & Observer that Smith was responding to a disturbance when he was shot, saying the officer “died trying to save the lives of the workers here at WakeMed and other people that were in the lobby.”
Smith had served with WakeMed’s campus police for 14 years and previously worked with the Knightdale Police Department from 1997 to 2013, according to WTVD and Knightdale police officials. In a message posted Saturday, the Knightdale Police Department described him as “a local hero” and said, “Roger, we love you and you will be missed.”
Garner Police Chief Chris Adams called the killing “a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence.” In a statement shared by Garner Police and reported by local media, Adams said, “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 the Smith family, the WakeMed Campus Police Department, and the entire WakeMed staff. The Garner community mourns alongside you today.”
WakeMed spokesperson Debbie Laughery said patients already receiving treatment at the Garner facility were transferred to other WakeMed locations after the shooting. She added that “many heroes” stepped up to take quick action to secure the situation.
Law enforcement agencies across Wake County joined in honoring Smith on Saturday afternoon. According to WTVD, a procession of between 60 and 100 law enforcement and fire vehicles accompanied Smith’s body from WakeMed on New Bern Avenue to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said, “Though he did not wear a WCSO uniform, he will always be a part of our first responder family.”
Gov. Josh Stein also expressed condolences in a statement posted on social media, writing, “My heart goes out to the family of Officer Roger Smith, who was killed protecting patients and their families. Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, and we are forever grateful for Officer Smith’s sacrifice.”
Garner Police detectives are continuing to work with the State Bureau of Investigation, WakeMed Campus Police, and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office to piece together the events leading to the shooting.
“There’s a lot of details involved,” Capt. Casteline said. “Detectives are trying to piece all that together. They’ve interviewed witnesses, they’ve reviewed video surveillance, and they’re still trying to see what actually happened.”
WakeMed said additional staff and counselors remain on site to support hospital employees and campus police as the community mourns the loss of Officer Smith.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Officer Gunned Down in Hospital Lobby in North Carolina
Authorities say the WakeMed campus police officer was killed while responding to a disturbance at the Garner Healthplex on Saturday morning.
By Jacob Charles
Published: November 11, 2025 8:00 am ET
Officer Roger Smith (via WakeMed)
GARNER, NC — A police officer was shot and killed Saturday morning in Garner while responding to a disturbance inside a local medical facility.
The Garner Police Department said officers were called around 9 a.m. to the emergency department lobby of the WakeMed Garner Healthplex, located off U.S. Highway 70, after reports of gunfire.
When they arrived, they found Officer Roger Smith, 59, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite “immediate life-saving efforts” by hospital staff and first responders, Smith died from his injuries, according to statements from both WakeMed and Garner Police.
Authorities later charged Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, with murder in connection with Smith’s death. The decision followed an investigation conducted in consultation with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, the Garner Police Department said in a Facebook post.
WakeMed said in a statement that Smith was working in the emergency department lobby when “a struggle ensued” before the shooting. Garner Police Capt. David Casteline told The News & Observer that Smith was responding to a disturbance when he was shot, saying the officer “died trying to save the lives of the workers here at WakeMed and other people that were in the lobby.”
Smith had served with WakeMed’s campus police for 14 years and previously worked with the Knightdale Police Department from 1997 to 2013, according to WTVD and Knightdale police officials. In a message posted Saturday, the Knightdale Police Department described him as “a local hero” and said, “Roger, we love you and you will be missed.”
Garner Police Chief Chris Adams called the killing “a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence.” In a statement shared by Garner Police and reported by local media, Adams said, “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 the Smith family, the WakeMed Campus Police Department, and the entire WakeMed staff. The Garner community mourns alongside you today.”
WakeMed spokesperson Debbie Laughery said patients already receiving treatment at the Garner facility were transferred to other WakeMed locations after the shooting. She added that “many heroes” stepped up to take quick action to secure the situation.
Law enforcement agencies across Wake County joined in honoring Smith on Saturday afternoon. According to WTVD, a procession of between 60 and 100 law enforcement and fire vehicles accompanied Smith’s body from WakeMed on New Bern Avenue to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said, “Though he did not wear a WCSO uniform, he will always be a part of our first responder family.”
Gov. Josh Stein also expressed condolences in a statement posted on social media, writing, “My heart goes out to the family of Officer Roger Smith, who was killed protecting patients and their families. Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, and we are forever grateful for Officer Smith’s sacrifice.”
Garner Police detectives are continuing to work with the State Bureau of Investigation, WakeMed Campus Police, and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office to piece together the events leading to the shooting.
“There’s a lot of details involved,” Capt. Casteline said. “Detectives are trying to piece all that together. They’ve interviewed witnesses, they’ve reviewed video surveillance, and they’re still trying to see what actually happened.”
WakeMed said additional staff and counselors remain on site to support hospital employees and campus police as the community mourns the loss of Officer Smith.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
