A hospital police officer was shot and killed in the emergency department lobby of a North Carolina medical facility Saturday morning, with authorities charging a suspect with murder in connection with the death.
WakeMed Campus Police Officer Roger Smith, 59, was working in the emergency department lobby at WakeMed Garner Healthplex when he was shot around 9 a.m. on November 8, 2025, according to Garner police. The facility is located in Garner, south of Raleigh.
WakeMed officials said a struggle ensued before Smith was shot. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by medical personnel on scene, Smith died from his injuries. Medical staff at the hospital described Smith as a hero whose actions likely prevented further loss of life, according to law enforcement officials.
Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, has been charged with murder in connection with Smith’s death. The suspect was also shot during the struggle inside the hospital lobby and remained hospitalized under custody and medical supervision as of Monday morning, according to Garner police. When released from the hospital, Martin will be taken to Wake County Detention Center.
Garner Police Chief Chris Adams addressed the shooting in a statement. “This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence,” 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.”
Smith worked at WakeMed for 14 years. Before joining the hospital’s police force, he served with the Knightdale Police Department from 1997 to 2013, according to sources. Smith was from Knightdale, a community near Garner.
The Knightdale Police Department mourned the loss of their former colleague, calling Smith a local hero in a statement released Saturday. Officials extended their deepest sympathies to Smith’s family and colleagues at the WakeMed Police Department.
A procession for Smith was held Saturday afternoon, departing from WakeMed facilities and traveling to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. Law enforcement and fire vehicles participated in the procession, according to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein posted about the shooting on social media, expressing condolences to Smith’s family. The governor noted that Smith was killed while protecting patients and their families, and thanked him for his sacrifice in keeping the community safe.
WakeMed officials expressed gratitude to the Garner Healthplex Emergency Department staff for their response to the incident. Hospital leadership worked with the State Bureau of Investigation and Garner Police Department, which is standard procedure for police-related shootings. The emergency department lobby remained inaccessible through Saturday as investigators processed the scene.
Additional staff and counselors were brought on-site to support the Garner emergency department and campus police teams following the shooting. WakeMed released a statement offering thoughts and prayers to the Smith family as they learned of the event.
The Raleigh Police Department and Wake County Sheriff’s Office both released statements of condolence, with the sheriff’s office noting that while Smith did not wear their uniform, he would always be part of the first responder family. Multiple law enforcement agencies from across the region expressed support for Smith’s family and the WakeMed Campus Police Department.
The State Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation into the shooting. Garner police conducted a separate investigation centered on the incident and what led up to the struggle in the hospital lobby. The motive for the shooting remained unclear as of Monday, with the investigation continuing.
