On Monday, July 14, 2025, Officer Philip Green, who was named Officer of the Year for 2024 by his fellow co-workers, spoke to the next generation of police officers at the annual St. Louis Area Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.
The Police Explorers are teenagers ranging from 14-20 and have an interest in becoming police officers. During the academy, the Explorers stay on campus at Missouri Baptist University for 7 days where they receive real-world, in-depth training from Law Enforcement professionals across the region. The 50 Explorers represent 17 different police departments from the Greater St. Louis area and one department from Lincoln, Nebraska.
On Monday, the Explorers had instruction on critical incident debriefings where they heard from Officer Green and others.
Officer Green spoke about being injured in the line of duty, his recovery, the importance of keeping up with your mental health, and faith.
“There have been countless times throughout my career when I have been at the right place at the right time,” Officer Green explained. “I’m a spiritual person, so I can’t sit here and tell you those were all coincidences. Now I haven’t figured out why I’ve been put on this path yet, but I’m going to keep searching because I know there is a reason.”
Officer Green received a career-ending injury to his left eye in May of 2024 while at a disturbance call. Officer Green broke up a fight between two juvenile females and began taking one of the females into custody when the mother of the girl climbed on his back. Officer Green temporarily lost control of the girl, allowing her to take the flashlight from his belt and strike him in the eye. The juvenile and mother were both taken into custody.
“I found it quite amazing and inspiring to hear from an officer who got injured in the line of duty and still has such a positive outlook on life,” said Explorer Shaun Hudson. “He really is one tough dude to be able to go through all of that and still have no ill will toward the girl who did this to him.”
The 50 Explorers are scheduled to graduate from this week-long academy on Saturday after they have completed all of their training.
If you know someone interested in becoming a Police Explorer or would like to learn more information, you can visit the following websites:
