Shaquille O’Neal is leveraging his influence and his own background in law enforcement to help a young Texan keep his career ambitions on track after an early setback. The NBA legend has stepped into a mentoring role for Jordan Wilmore, a former college basketball player pursuing his goal of becoming a police officer in Kemah, Texas.
Standing at 7-foot-3, Wilmore is chasing more than just a badge: he’s also aiming for a record. If successful, the 24-year-old would become the tallest police officer in Texas. His journey drew public attention after O’Neal stepped in following Wilmore’s narrow failure on a required peace officer examination, offering guidance and support to help him move forward.
From Exam Setback To Shaquille O’Neal’s Support: Jordan Wilmore’s Second Chance
Jordan Wilmore, a Kemah resident, has aspired to work in law enforcement for years. According to KHOU-TV, a CBS affiliate in Houston, that goal appeared to be in jeopardy after he failed the peace officer exam on his first attempt. Rather than walking away, Wilmore remained committed, continuing to train and prepare for another opportunity.
Shaquille O’Neal soon learned of Wilmore’s situation and chose to step in personally. The 53-year-old Inside the NBA analyst reached out to Kemah Police Chief Raymond Garivey and offered to sponsor Wilmore as he continues his path toward becoming an officer.
“I found out about him through jealousy,” O’Neal said with a laugh. “I thought I was the tallest, handsomest cop in the world.” O’Neal later addressed his involvement in more serious terms.
He added, “I want him to really focus on this because it’s commendable that a kid wants to be an officer. I love cops. They made me who I am.” His connection to policing extends well beyond public support.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, O’Neal has served as a reserve officer with multiple agencies, including the Doral Police Department and Miami Beach Police Department in Florida, as well as departments in Tempe, Arizona, and the Port of Los Angeles.
In December 2016, O’Neal was sworn in as a deputy in Clayton County, Georgia. He later became director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia in 2021 and has publicly discussed the possibility of running for sheriff in either Florida or Georgia.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star said he recognized something familiar in Wilmore’s perseverance. “It actually took me five to seven years to graduate from the LA Sheriff’s Academy,” O’Neal said. “I wanted to just let him know he’s got my full support. I’m going to be on you, brother, make sure you get it done.”
As part of his support, O’Neal has promised Wilmore a new car to help him stay focused as he continues his training and prepares to retake the exam. Wilmore said the encouragement and mentorship have made a meaningful impact. “I’m really thankful for him helping me out and being there and being a mentor for helping me through this,” he said.
Kemah Police Chief Raymond Garivey said Wilmore’s determination has stood out over his decades in law enforcement. “In my 34-year career, I’ve seen others fail, but I also see others give up,” Garivey said. “Once they’re done, they’re done. That’s not the case here. He wants to serve.”
Shaquille O’Neal Admits There’s One Thing He’s Never Tried
In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints following his annual Shaq A Claus event, Shaquille O’Neal revealed that he has never gone skydiving. He shared the personal tidbit while reflecting on the charitable initiative he hosts each year to provide gifts and holiday cheer to children in need.
The most recent Shaq A Claus event took place on December 16 at Fairview Elementary School in Stockbridge, Georgia, where underprivileged students received toys and experienced a festive holiday celebration.
Beyond his Hall of Fame NBA career, O’Neal remains busy as a sports analyst on Inside the NBA, a DJ, and the driving force behind the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. Despite his many ventures, Shaq A Claus continues to stand out as one of his most personal and meaningful projects.
“I once read a stat that 15 million kids wake up on Christmas Day without one single toy. I actually know how that felt, so we wanted to just honor my mother’s wishes and make kids happy,” O’Neal exclusively told ClutchPoints.
In Case You Missed: Anthony Joshua Hospitalized After Fatal Nigeria Highway Crash
He added, “I like making kids smile. Everybody knows Shaq loves the kids, so we just want to make them fly.” The event was originally conceived by his mother, Dr. Lucille O’Neal, who encouraged him to expand it into something far larger.
“She wanted me to come with her to where she was going to hand out toys to 5,000 kids. And I said, ‘You can’t do that. I’ll take care of it.’ Me and my boys got a U-Haul truck, went to Toys ‘R’ Us, and just kind of wiped them out. And that’s how Shaq A Claus got started,” O’Neal explained.
Over time, O’Neal has put his own stamp on the initiative while preserving its original mission. While skydiving remains on his personal bucket list, he continues to prioritize experiences that leave a lasting impact—using his platform to give back and create moments of joy for thousands of families each year.
