Police Officer Shot: Suspect Charged In WakeMed Garner Killing

On Saturday morning, a police officer named Roger Smith died in a true crime shooting at a hospital in Wake County. The incident was at the Wake Med Garner Health Plex which is located in the outskirts of Raleigh, North Carolina. Read on for more details.

A Fight Broke Out

According to a report from WCNC on YouTube, the incident occurred in the hospital’s emergency room after “a fight” broke out. Officer Roger Smith, who was on duty at the time, stepped in to intervene. He was shot during the altercation and later died from his injuries.

Authorities confirmed that a person of interest is in custody. He’s been identified as “Benji Martin Jr., a 29-year-old from Garner,” who is now facing a murder charge.

Governor Weighs In

ABC News shared a statement from Garner Police Chief Chris Adams, who said that Officer Smith, “throughout his life, was the one who looked out for others, and even in his very last moments, he cared for others before himself.” The chief also expressed his condolences to the officer’s family and his colleagues at the hospital.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also responded, posting a message on social media. He noted that Smith was “protecting patients and their families” when he was killed. Governor Stein added, “Law enforcement officers who are risking their lives to save us deserve our highest respect.”

Police Killed On Duty

North Carolina, like many other states, saw multiple officers killed while on duty. News reports on platforms like YouTube regularly cover these tragic events. A search for “Officer shot dead in North Carolina” yields numerous results.

For instance, last year, a horrific incident occurred in Charlotte when four officers were shot while attempting to serve a warrant. The gunfire exchange ended in a tragedy that deeply affected the community.

About ten months ago, a Greensboro police officer in Guilford County was also shot and killed. More recently, CBS reported on another officer killing in Miami-Dade. While this did not happen in North Carolina, the true-crime style killing happened during a simple traffic stop.

Sheriff’s Deputy Devin Jaramillo was gunned down on Saturday afternoon. Multiple emergency units responded to the scene, and an ambulance was seen rushing to the hospital. It remains unclear who was transported or if any other individuals were injured during the incident.

A Dangerous Job

For the families of those who serve in law enforcement, it must seem that any day could be the last time their loved one comes home. While many people are vocal about individuals shot by the police, there often seems to be less public concern for the safety of the officers who enforce the law.

What are your thoughts on another officer being shot and killed at a hospital in Wake County this weekend? Let us know in the comments below, and check back often for all our true crime news and updates.