(PRICHARD, Ala.) - He gave his life serving our community. On Wednesday, Officer Steven Green was laid to rest.
Officer Green was killed Friday afternoon after transporting a robbery suspect to Metro Jail.
Hundreds of people, including family, friends and fellow officers, gathered in Prichard for Green's funeral.
For the most part, civilians and officers seldom rub elbows. But on Wednesday, they came together to mourn Officer Green.
"I'm out here to represent some of the people in this city and to thank the police officers for the protection they give us," said Prichard resident Barbara Williams. "I did not know Officer Green, but I did not have to know him to be here."
It is that concern, that love for someone most of these people never met, that shows the value of the man and what he chose to do for a living.
"All of the men and women of law enforcement, anytime we lose an officer regardless of what department we work for or wherever they're at, it kind of pulls on your heart strings because we're all basically brothers and sisters in blue, regardless of whether your uniform is gray or black or brown," said Lt. Brad Penton with the Chickasaw Police Department.
More than 1,200 people packed the Sunlight District Auditorium on Wednesday; civilians on one side, officers on another.
It was those officers, Green and his fellow peace keepers, who received a standing ovation at the beginning of the two house service. Then voices united to sing praises to God, and offer praise for Officer Green's devotion to his community.
It was more than a funeral, said Mayor Sam Jones. It's a home-going celebration.
After the hymns were sung, and the pulpit silent, Officer Green received an escort by his peers, a final gesture of solidarity and friendship from those he left behind to do the job he loved.
"The commonality is we all have been this before. We sweat together, we bleed together, we all wear a shield of some sort. And we're here for one another," said Deputy Eric Winberg, Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.
At Wednesday's service, a letter was read by President Barack Obama to Steven Green's wife, Valeria. From that letter, the president wrote, "Michelle and I are deeply saddened. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time."
