KIRTLAND, Ohio — Thirty-six acres is a lot of ground to cover. Yet, Holden Arboretum police officer, 57-year-old Pete Greene, always finds different ways to keep watch.
He's been here since 2017, protecting visitors and staff on an oasis of nature he often finds time to soak in.
It's a place of reflection on how far he's come, because just 19 months ago, his life changed forever.
"I remember taking route 90 in Euclid and heading to 91," Officer Greene remembered. "She lost control and crossed the medium."
Suddenly, a Chevy Yukon blew a tire as the driver lost control and hit Greene's minivan head on.
"Not only did I severely injure my right ankle, but I had a traumatic brain injury, so wasn't cognitively all there," Greene said. "I was told that by the medics that transported me from the scene to the hospital that they were surprised I made it."
He did make it, but there was a long way to go. His right ankle was shattered: 28 pins, rods and plates. Three surgeries. And, a lot of pain.
"End result was circulation was just not restored and was not happening. So literally my foot started dying," Greene said.
Doctors decided amputation below his knee was the best option for survival. Acceptance wasn't easy for Greene.
"I was thinking about, 'Well, I guess it's time for a career change,'" he said.
"Having friends that have had amputations and having them kind of smack me with a little bit of reality and said, 'Look, if I can do this, you can do this,'" Greene said.
He's worked hard to get back to what he loves. In may of 2023, he made it back to work on light duty.
"Holden Arboretum just stood up for me ... did a lot of office projects and things like that for a while until I can, you know, get back, in uniform," Greene said.
By January of this year, he went back to full-time duty. There was one test he had to do, though: Climb the Emergent Tower at Holden for the first time since getting a prosthetic.
"I'm excited for this. It's going to be the challenge. But it's going to be worth it," Greene said right before the climb.
He was about to climb 120 feet, and 202 steps to the top. He's waited a long time for this moment. It's not just a victory for himself. He shares this with the people who got him through -- his family and friends, colleagues and new community of amputees. When you're at the top, your purpose becomes clear.
"If there's a way I can help somebody else through their situation and I'm looking forward to doing that," Greene said.
"I want to say to my three kids. I love you and thank you for all your help."
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