Law enforcement agencies came together in tribute to Roger Smith on Tuesday morning as dozens of vehicles helped escort his body to a Raleigh funeral home.

Smith was shot and killed when a fight turned fatal at WakeMed Healthplex in Garner on Saturday. Raleigh police, Wake County Sheriff's Office, State Capitol police, WakeMed and North Carolina State Highway Patrol were some of the agencies that participated.

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Smith served for longer than a decade with Knightdale police and WakeMed Health. Friends said he was known for trustworthiness, professionalism and eagerness to help others. He was 59 years old.

There was a trail of flashing blue lights along Blue Ridge Road onto Wade Avenue around 10:30 a.m. as marked SUVs, cruisers and motorcycles led the way.

Smith's body was taken from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on St. Mary's Street. Smith will be remembered at a funeral service on Monday at Providence Church in Raleigh.

Smith was shot and killed during what investigators called “a struggle” in the emergency room lobby. Details about what led to the altercation are unknown.

The Carolina Hurricanes will honor Smith and his family at Saturday night's game against the Edmonton Oilers at Lenovo Center. Smith's obituary noted he was a big hockey fan.

Friends of suspect say he was gentle, kind

Benji Martin Jr. was charged with murder. Police said Martin was also shot in the skirmish and was taken to the hospital. He will be taken to jail once he’s released from care.

Martin's friends were taken aback by the news. They call the accusations out of Martin's character.

They describe Martin, who was an honors student at Garner High School, as gentle and kind. Martin majored in dance at East Carolina University.

"We want to see what really happened," said Chris Poole. "Because Benji is not like that, he’s a good kid, no background, no record, no anything."

"It’s deeper than what we know," Poole said. "That’s why everyone’s asking for the video. We want to see the video. We want to know the truth."