WakeMed Police Officer Roger Smith was shot twice in November, death certificate reveals

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- New details have emerged in the shooting death of WakeMed police officer Roger Smith.

According to his death certificate, Smith was shot twice -- once in the chest and once in the back.

Smith, a 59-year-old 14-year veteran of WakeMed's public safety team and a former Knightdale police officer, was killed in the line of duty on November 8.

The incident happened in the Emergency Department at the Garner Healthplex in the 400 block of US-70. In a statement, WakeMed told ABC11 that officer Roger Smith, 59, was working in the hospital's emergency department lobby when "a struggle ensued" and he was shot. Despite "immediate life-saving efforts" by medical staffers, Smith died from his injuries.

29-year-old Benji Martin Jr. of Garner has been charged with murder in connection with Smith's death.

"This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence," said Garner Police Chief Chris Adams. "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."