Holden Arboretum police officer back on duty after car crash

Feb. 28—Peter Greene was driving home in August 2022, heading east on Interstate 90 just past Bishop Road when a Chevrolet Yukon traveling westbound had a tire blow out, crossed the median and hit him head on.

The Holden Arboretum police officer was the only person in his 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan and hit his head resulting in a traumatic brain injury. He also broke his right foot badly.

It was the kind of crash that once Holden Arboretum Police Chief Sean O'Neil saw Greene's vehicle, the last thing on his mind was whether the officer would be returning to work.

For the chief, it was much more about the survival and personal health of Greene and the impact it would have on his family.

After 18 months of rehabilitation that included Greene learning to deal with amputation of his lower right leg, O'Neil was happy that the officer's return to duty exceeded his expectations.

The 57-year-old Willoughby resident was at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights for 39 days following the crash and had three surgeries to try and rebuild the right ankle using 28 pins, plates and rods. However, circulation was lost during recovery and the foot started to die, requiring a below-the-knee amputation.

Yet Greene returned to full duty on Jan. 26.

"After seeing his vehicle after the accident, I even had doubts about him surviving such a horrific accident," O'Neil said. "When you see how much damage there was to his van and that the entire engine compartment was essentially obliterated or pushed into the driver's area of the van, you can't help but be surprised he came out of the accident alive.

"When I saw him in the hospital and learn he's not only got severe lower leg injuries but a severe traumatic brain injury, I really didn't see how he would be able to return," he recalled. "I'd seen officers in less serious vehicle accidents that never made it back to the job.

"Then when we learned they'd have to amputate most of his lower leg, I really didn't see him returning. I'm just glad he proved me wrong, and so happy for him and his family," O'Neil added. "Pete said set a goal to return to full duty without restriction and entirely to his credit he did just that."

Greene was taken to the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute for physical therapy that lasted about 18 days, and with the goal of getting back on full duty at Holden Arboretum, he had a long road ahead.

"Recovery was long and a lot of work," Greene said. "Once I was released from Metro on Oct. 9, I was at home also going through physical therapy to learn to get around the house using a walker and crutches. Dec. 22 (2022) is the day I received my first prosthetic leg so therapy at home and back at Metro as an outpatient started.

"Physically and mentally, it was challenging as I was relearning how to walk, something that I had mastered by age 3," Greene added. "Paying careful attention how I walked and where I placed my right leg was a lot to think about."

The biggest thing for Greene was getting himself into a mindset that he could return to work. Many discussions with other amputees helped motivate him that returning to work was possible.

Greene said the fact the department held his job open and the people at the Holden Arboretum were vested in his recovery was a major plus.

From May 2023 until late January, Holden brought him back to work in the office on numerous projects until he was able to return to full duty. Greene said having a paycheck over those months was extremely helpful and his family was incredible.

"My wife spent many hours with me at the hospital making sure that I was receiving the best care possible," Greene said. "Having her there advocating for me was critical to my recovery. Our kids helped in so many ways and were amazing.

"I returned to work on Jan. 26 without any limitations, however, I am very careful in what I do and how I do things," he added. "My emotions were all over the place. Who would have thought that after 18 months of recovery that I would be back in uniform and doing this job."

Greene started in law enforcement in December 1989 in Kirtland Hills and spent 19 years with the RTA Transit Police Department and the last seven with the Holden Arboretum Police Department — a total of 34 years in the field.

As far as his effect on the department at Holden Arboretum, O'Neil said Greene's impact has been inspirational and impactful.

"Like anyone else, I feared the worse," O'Neil said. "You don't hear about too many head on-collisions that end well, especially on an interstate. Fearing for the worse, I then begin to think about how this would affect his family and then how it would affect the rest of our department and by extension, the rest of the staff at the Arboretum.

"Pete's a very personable, compassionate and very customer-driven officer," he added. "He has loads of experience and skills, but most importantly he gets that as police officers our mission is to serve the needs of our members, visitors and staff.

"He goes out of his way to say hello and chat with folks, and he definitely makes it a priority to help however he can."

O'Neil said Greene is a constant reminder of how the human spirit and some "positive mental attitude" can go such a long way.

Including O'Neil, Greene is one of five officers at the police department and the duty is to ensure the safety and security of the staff, property and visitors. The department is essentially there to help provide for a welcoming and safe environment that allows people to connect with the wonder of nature.

Greene is a First Aid/CPR/AED instructor who trains and recertifies staff that need it. He also helps to manage and ensure first aid supplies and equipment are properly stocked and functioning, manages and takes care of all radios and as a certified drone operator often helps other staff with getting pictures for various projects at both the arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus.

"It's been pretty cool to see how warmly everyone's welcomed Pete back," O'Neil said. "Not just within HAPD, but throughout the organization.The support has been tremendous and I'm sure it means the world to Pete and his family as well.

"It goes back to what I said earlier, he's a reminder of how the human spirit (works)," O'Neil said. "I imagine also that, like myself, Pete helps remind them to not take things in your life for granted. Like with Pete's accident, a split second and your life can change forever.

"You just never know, so appreciate the good in your life and those around you. In today's world it is easy to let the negative skew your frame of mind, so remember to pause and take the time to enjoy all the wonder that's out there."