Wake County agencies lead procession for fallen WakeMed Garner officer
TOLD US HE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL
FOR SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES.
>> THE BODY OF THE WAKE MED
OFFICER IS AT A FUNERAL HOME
BEFORE HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE
THIS WEEKEND. THE BODY OF
OFFICER ROGER SMITH WAS
TRANSPORTED TODAY FROM THE
STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE
BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
FROM AROUND THE STATE. THE
BUREAU'S CARLY HAYNES IS LIVE
OUTSIDE WAKE MED IN GARNER'S
THE HOSPITAL TRIES TO HELP THE
COLLEAGUES AND THE LOVED ONES
THAT HE LEAVES BEHIND. CARLY.
>> GERALD, WE ASKED TO WAKE MED
IS VIDEO EXISTS OF THE INCIDENT
AND WE DIDN'T HEAR BACK.
BUT WE WALKED INTO THE LOBBY
AND WE SAW SEVERAL SECURITY
CAMERAS INSIDE. WE ALSO SAW
A PHOTO OF OFFICER SMITH THAT
HAD BEEN SET UP IN HIS MEMORY.
>> A CEREMONIAL PROCESSION TO
MARK THE LOSS OF THEIR OWN
AGENCIES AROUND WAKE COUNTY
BROUGHT OFFICER ROGER SMITH
FROM THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S
OFFICE TO THIS FUNERAL HOME
AND OBITUARY CAUSE SMITH
DEDICATED AND COMPASSIONATE.
>> FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WHO
WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR
MORE THAN 30 YEARS. MOST
RECENTLY AS AN OFFICER AT
GARNER WAKE-MED HEALTHPLEX
WHERE HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED
SATURDAY. INVESTIGATORS SAY
IT HAPPENED DURING A STRUGGLE
IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM LOBBY.
POLICE CHARGED BENJI MARTIN
JUNIOR WITH MURDER. AND I'M
JUST LIKE,
>> YOU KNOW, SOLD OFF SLIDE.
THAT'S NOT HIM. FRIENDS CALLED
THE ACCUSATIONS OUT OF MARTIN'S
CHARACTER.
>> THEY DESCRIBED MARTIN AS
GENTLE AND KIND A GARNER HIGH
SCHOOL HONOR STUDENT WHO
MAJORED IN DANCE AT EAST
CAROLINA UNIVERSITY. WANT TO
SEE WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
BECAUSE BENJI IS NOT THAT TYPE
OF PERSON. HE'S A GOOD KID AND,
YOU KNOW, AND HAS NO
BACKGROUND, NO ANYTHING.
POLICE SAY MARTIN WAS ALSO SHOT
IN THE ALTERCATION. HE'S BEING
TREATED IN THE HOSPITAL BEFORE
HE'LL GO TO JAIL.
>> NO, EVERY DAY SINCE
SATURDAY, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING
GUARD OR POLICE FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION. THEY SAID THEY CAN
PROVIDE US WITH DETAILS ABOUT
WHAT LED UP TO THE SHOOTING
AS THEY QUOTE, WORK TO PIECE
THE PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER.
FOR THE KINGS. WRAL NEWS LIVE