Hundreds line roadway for officer's procession

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - As the funeral procession for fallen Mobile Police Officer Steven Green made its way through the streets of Mobile, hundreds of people stood by to watch in silence.

The one thing that truly stood out  was how silent it was out there.

There were scores of people, many took off work, some brought their kids, others stepped out of their cars. But all of them were simply silent as the massive motorcade made its way towards the cemetery.

How do you honor a hero?

Glitz, confetti and glamor certainly goes far, but sometimes the most meaningful thing to do is to simply stand there in silence.

Crowds began to gather along the street hours beforehand. Most of these people didn't know Officer Green, but he touched their lives all the same.

"[They] put their lives in danger for us each day, and things we don't think about and we take for granted a lot of times, so what better way to show our respect for them now?" Jennifer Chappell said.

This ceremony reminded us how special this country really is, and how in the face of sheer evil, so much good can come out.

"It kinda gives me chill bumps, it's the right thing to do honoring him, his family. I just want to be a part of it," Spectator Mike Welch said.

Officer Green was a former football player for Blount High School. So on Tuesday, 50 players came out carrying 50 flags as their teammate rode past.

"We can learn form this not to take life for granted, and people are out here risking their lives to keep us safe," Blount High School athlete Quintarius Thomas said.

Many people today misuse the word, 'hero.' It's more than a cartoon character or an athlete, it's everyday people who do extraordinary things.

And on this sunny afternoon, scores of people took time out to recognize that.