A portion of Glenwood Avenue was closed Monday morning for a funeral procession for a WakeMed police officer killed on the job.
Roger Smith’s funeral was held at Providence Church in Raleigh. The 59-year-old man was a father, grandfather and an officer for more than 30 years.
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“Today we remember an officer who served with courage and commitment,” said Sgt. Mark Szajnberg. “We’re here to stand by his family and his fellow officers with WakeMed.”
Smith was shot during a struggle on Nov. 8 at WakeMed Garner. Benji Martin Jr., 29, of Garner, is charged with murder in Smith's death. Martin remains hospitalized as of Friday, but authorities will take him to the Wake County Detention Center when he's released.
Authorities continue to investigate what led up to Smith’s death. Garner police haven’t released many more details other than to acknowledge the struggle.
A law enforcement procession escorted Smith's casket to the Providence Church in Raleigh for a funeral at noon.
“It’s heavy on every officer as we know every day we put our uniform on and we leave our families that it could be our last day,” Szajnberg said.
Smith worked as a WakeMed police officer for more than a decade. He also worked for Knightdale Police Department from 1997 to 2013.
On Sunday, a visitation was held for Smithat Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park.
His family is asking for donations to The 200 Club of Wake County, Tunnel to Towers or to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center.
The 200 Club of Wake County is a nonprofit that provides financial help to family of service members who have died while on duty.
On Saturday night, the Carolina Hurricanes honored Smith, who was a big hockey fan. The team hosted his family for Saturday's game against the Edmonton Oilers at Lenovo Center.
