Roger Newell Smith

Roger Newell Smith, 79, of Shamong, New Jersey, passed away at home on November 21, 2025.

Roger grew up in Medford Lakes and attended Moorestown Friends School. After graduating from Muhlenberg College with a degree in sociology, Roger dedicated his life to public service and community leadership. He began his career in law enforcement as a dispatcher with the Medford Township Police Department in 1968. He joined the Medford Lakes Police Department in 1969 and served the department faithfully for 27 years. He spent 20 of those years as Chief of Police. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest police chief in Burlington County. His tenure was marked by integrity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of his community. He was instrumental in organizing a successful grass-roots campaign in the community to solicit support for switching police department employees to the more comprehensive Police and Fire Retirement System.

Roger was a lifelong sportsman who, with his beloved wife of 43 years, Nancy, found joy in the outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman. Roger and Nancy pursued their love for outdoor adventure in places such as British Columbia, Maine, Michigan, Montana, upstate New York, and of course in the fields, woods, and waters of their home state of New Jersey. In retirement, he devoted himself to breeding Deutsch-Drahthaar dogs, a passion that brought him great pride and connection. He served as Vice Chairman, Director of Testing, Orthopedic Evaluation coordinator, and was a long time performance judge for the Deutsch-Drahthaar breed club in North America where he made lasting contributions to the organization and the breed he loved. He also served as Chairman of the club’s local chapter for many years.

Roger is survived by his loving wife Nancy; his sisters-in-law, Susan Bohs and Judy Bohs; and his cousins, nieces, and nephews. He will be remembered for his dedication, his warmth, and the steadfast loyalty he showed to family, friends, and community.

Funeral Services are private at the request of the family.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Bradley & Stow Funeral Home of Medford, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Roger’s name be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.  (BradleyStow.com)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roger Newell Smith, please visit our floral store.