Final ride hosted for retired Warren County deputy Joseph Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A southern Kentucky community is honoring the life of a retired deputy sheriff remembered for his service, storytelling and deep connection to the people around him.

Joseph Matthew Green, 49, of Scottsville died on March 10, leaving behind what family and friends describe as a lasting legacy built on love, mentorship and community.

Green spent years serving in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff, a role those close to him say he carried with pride. But beyond the badge, he was known for his larger-than-life personality and his ability to connect with anyone he met.

“If you met Joe once, you never forgot him,” loved ones said.

Family members say Green had a unique way of bringing people together, often turning simple conversations into meaningful moments. His son, Preston Green, said his father taught him how to openly love others and treat everyone the same, no matter who they were.

“He could go to the Pope or a homeless man, and they would have been the same to him,” Preston Green said.

Green’s family says he was a devoted husband of 23 years, a father, and a grandfather — a role that brought out what they describe as his softest side. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandson, along with extended family members and many in the community who considered him a mentor.

Those who knew him say his impact extended far beyond his immediate family. He was known for offering guidance, sharing stories, and showing generosity through small but meaningful gestures.

In the weeks leading up to his passing, family members say they were able to spend meaningful time with him. Tyler Meadors said that time meant everything.

“I told him I idolized him, and I think a lot of us do,” Meadors said. “If I can just be a quarter of the man he was, I’ll be happy with life.”

Green was also a man of faith, attending iLive Church and holding strong to his beliefs, which loved ones say now brings them comfort.

A funeral service was held Tuesday at Hardy & Son Funeral Home in Bowling Green, followed by burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Scottsville.

As the community gathered for his final ride, many say the stories he shared, the lessons he taught, and the lives he touched will continue on.