A police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty at a hospital in North Carolina on Saturday, authorities said.

Officer Roger Smith was “protecting patients and their families” when he was shot at WakeMed in Garner, just outside of Raleigh, according to Garner police and North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein.

A person of interest is in custody, police said, adding that there’s no ongoing threat.

“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, and we are forever grateful for Officer Smith’s sacrifice,” the governor wrote on social media. “Please pray for his family and the entire WakeMed community in their time of need.”

The town of Garner said in a statement that it “joins the community in mourning the loss of WakeMed Police Officer Roger Smith.”

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues and fellow officers,” the town said.