End of Watch: The death of Pensacola Police Officer Clinton Green

From the book “Some Gave All,” coming soon on Amazon.

He was known as a gentlemanly officer. In early February 1938, Officer Green heard about the young 6-year-old girl in Pensacola Hospital who was dying of leukemia and needed blood. He immediately volunteered and donated. 

On Saturday afternoon, February 26, 1938 (85 years ago), Officer Green received a call about a fire in the 700 block of East Lee Street. He responded. The corner of Hayne and Blount Streets was a quiet, typical middle-class neighborhood. Today, however, the Cecil T. Hunter Pool is located on that corner. It is a wonderful place for people to enjoy a dip to escape the hot Pensacola weather.

The Cecil T. Hunter Pool

After finishing with the call, he left, heading west on Blount Street. J. W. Alford was driving East on Blount Street when he turned left onto Hayne Street. His vehicle collided with Officer Green’s motorcycle. Witnesses said that the policeman hit Alford’s windshield and flew over the car. Besides a badly cut neck and internal injuries, he suffered from a fractured skull. He never regained consciousness. At 6:55 PM, he died from his injuries.

Officer Green left behind a wife, one son and four daughters. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, February 27 in his home at 1410 N. 8th Avenue. Reverend Chester S. Hunnicutt delivered the eulogy and brother officers served as pallbearers. The burial took place in Clopton Cemetery at Davis Highway and Selina Street.

A quickly assembled coroner’s jury went to the scene of the accident and determined that Alford apparently swerved into Officer Green’s path thereby causing his death. He was arrested on one count of manslaughter and turned over to county authorities where he was released on a $1,500 bond.

RIP Officer Green. God Bless

#oldpolicestories

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