Fallen Mobile officer Steven Green nominated for Alabama Medal of Honor

MOBILE, Al.
On what would have been his 37th birthday, family, friends and colleagues gathered Saturday to honor Steven Green with commemorations that included an announcement that the Mobile police officer has been nominated for Alabama’s highest award for valor.

Steven Green

Green, a police officer for two years, died Feb. 3 when he was stabbed after delivering a robbery suspect to the Mobile County Metro Jail. During a candlelight memorial service Saturday evening in Cathedral Square, state Rep. Napoleon Bracy, a childhood friend, said Green is being considered for the Alabama Medal of Honor.
"I’ve spoken with the nominating committee, and they’ve agreed that Steve is now at the top of the list," Bracy said. "Only someone that was killed in the line of duty or who did something heroic or was injured in the line of duty can even qualify for this award."
Bracy said Green’s dedication to friends and the community was obvious from the time the two of them were growing up in Prichard. He said that when he watched the response at Green’s funeral, he also realized how the officer’s death helped unite the community.
"Everybody stopped," Bracy said. "It was the one time that I can say in a state like Alabama, in a city like Mobile, everybody, no matter what age you were, what color you were, everybody stopped for a common purpose. Steve brought everybody together that people thought never, ever would come together."
Green’s oldest daughter, Jasmine, recalled watching television with her father, listening to police stories as they watched "America’s Most Wanted," episodes.
"I’m just going to miss him and it’s so good to see all these people come out and support him with me," she said.
The event concluded with the crowd lighting candles and releasing balloons that floated over the cathedral. Family and friends sang "Happy Birthday," before leaving.
Alisha Coleman said that while Green was her cousin, he had always been more like a big brother when they were growing up.
"When I went through my divorce, he was always there for me, telling me to not give up, keep going on, keep in school, keep on working," she said. "That’s how he was. He was there for you."
Stephanie Wheat, one of the organizers of the memorial, said Green touched people beyond the police force and his family.
"When I think about the impact that Steve has had on the community, I think about the impact that Steve has had on my life and hundreds of others just like me," she said. "He was not only an officer, he was a loving husband, father, son, brother, cousin, coach and friend. He was devoted. He was strong-willed, but never minded helping someone else. He gave his all in everything he did."