Slain officer coached football

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Sullivan Recreation Center is a place where games are won. But right now, the park is suffering from a huge loss.

"Officer Green definitely was a dedicated volunteer coach here for several years. He was the kind of kid that worked with the youngsters beyond the playing field," said  Athletic Director Herschell Wilson.

Wilson said Officer Green coached the same set of boys for about seven years, and even coached them though several football championships.

"Some of them tried to dress like him. Things that he did, they tried to emulate what Steve did. He had a tremendous impact on the youngsters that he worked with," said Wilson.

Larry McMillian played for Officer Green's team from age 7 to 12.  As he saw the news unfold Friday, he recounted the memories.

"I saw Coach Steve getting in the car and the suspect who was talking all that noise and I was looking at the driver - Coach Steve was the driver. I was telling people at work that used to be my coach when I was 7-years-old," said McMillian.

Now, McMillian wants to follow in his footsteps and be a positive influence on and off the football field.  

"It just had me in tears all morning. It hurt me a lot for somebody in my life to pass away like that who raised me and taught me to be who I am today," said McMillian.

Even though park officials say Green stopped coaching about two years ago, he was known to show up on the sidelines every now and then. Officer Green had three children of his own.

The Mobile Parks and Recreation Center is collecting donations for Green's family. Officials are encouraging other recreation and associations  throughout the city to contribute. Donations will be taken February 6-9 at Mobile Parks and Recreation main office located at 48 North Sage Avenue.