7-foot-3 officer Jordan Wilmore sworn in after Shaq covered his living expenses [VIDEO]

Jordan Wilmore, 7-Foot-3, Sworn Into Kemah Police Department After Failing State Exam by One Point

Jordan Wilmore raised his right hand and took the oath of office as a Kemah Police Department officer on July 7, completing a journey that nearly ended when he failed the state licensing exam by one point. The 7-foot-3, 350-pound Memphis native stood before Chief Raymond Garivey in the department’s municipal chambers, his mother Brenda pinning his badge afterward.

The moment was captured on video by KHOU-11 News and shared by @DesireeAmerica4, quickly accumulating over 6.5 million views. The footage shows Wilmore towering over the chief as he recites the oath, his mother looking up at him with pride, and the emotional embrace that followed. The story gained additional attention because Shaquille O’Neal covered Wilmore’s living expenses for five months after learning of his struggle.

Failing the State Exam by One Point in Late 2025

Jordan Wilmore, who played college basketball at Missouri, Northwestern State, and Austin Peay, moved to Texas to pursue a career in law enforcement after his basketball career ended. He enrolled in the police academy at Alvin Community College and completed the training, but when he took the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licensing exam, he scored 69—one point short of the required 70.

Many recruits leave the field after failing. Chief Garivey said Wilmore never considered quitting. “Never once during our conversation after he failed the state test did he say he was giving up,” Garivey said in previous interviews. The chief described Wilmore as having a “servant’s heart” and called him a “gentle giant” and future “enforcer.”

The setback meant Wilmore would need to retake the exam and continue studying while supporting himself. Without a second job, he could not afford to focus exclusively on preparation. The situation changed when Shaquille O’Neal learned of his story.

Shaquille O’Neal Covered His Living Expenses for Five Months

O’Neal, a 7-foot-1 NBA Hall of Famer and certified reserve peace officer, learned of Wilmore’s situation through social media in December 2025. He contacted Chief Garivey and then spoke directly with Wilmore, including a FaceTime call. O’Neal told him: “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.”

O’Neal agreed to cover Wilmore’s living expenses for the next five months so Wilmore could study full-time without the distraction of a second job. He also promised a custom-sized patrol vehicle and ongoing mentorship. O’Neal later joked he initially learned of Wilmore “through jealousy,” saying he thought he was the tallest, handsomest cop.

The financial support allowed Wilmore to re-enroll, retake the exam preparation process, and focus exclusively on passing. He passed the TCOLE exam last month and graduated from the Alvin College academy. The swearing-in ceremony followed earlier this week on July 7.

The Swearing-In Ceremony Became a Viral Moment

The KHOU-11 News footage captures the ceremony in full. Wilmore, in his dark blue Kemah Police uniform with red piping and a holstered sidearm, stands opposite Chief Garivey. The chief holds the oath document as Wilmore raises his right hand. The height difference is extreme—Wilmore’s hand hovers well above the chief’s head.

Wilmore recites the oath, his face serious and focused. After the ceremony, he speaks briefly, describing the moment as “feeling unreal, feeling blessed as well” and saying he is “just ready to just get to work and do my dream job finally.”

His mother, Brenda Wilmore, in a blue medical-style scrub top, pins his badge. He bends down significantly to hug her. She later said: “I want people to get to know Jordan the man. Know that behind that height and that straight face is a gentle giant and he loves people and he loves to serve.”

Choosing Policing Over Basketball

Despite external pressure from family and friends who viewed his height as a path to NBA millions, Wilmore has consistently stated that basketball was never his true passion. He has said he has always wanted to help people and that policing is “who I am.” He has publicly stated he would turn down an NBA call immediately to stay in law enforcement.

His basketball career included college stops at Missouri, Northwestern State, and Austin Peay, followed by a professional stint in the Philippines. But the desire to serve remained constant. He moved to Kemah, a small coastal city southeast of Houston, to pursue that goal.

The department has faced logistical challenges in outfitting him. Custom uniforms were required. Vehicle modifications were necessary so his knees do not hit the dashboard. He is considered one of the tallest active police officers in the United States, with potential Guinness World Record consideration.

Viewers on X Celebrated the Story and Shaq’s Role

The X post sharing the KHOU-11 footage received over 184,000 likes and 6.5 million views. Reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with users praising Wilmore’s perseverance and Shaq’s quiet generosity.

“@SHAQ literally runs around the country playing Fairy Godmother in his spare time. Love the guy,” one user wrote. Another added, “Missing a life-changing exam by one point didn’t end Jordan Wilmore’s dream, it revealed the power of someone willing to help. Salute to Shaq.”

Height jokes were common. “If I get pulled over by this […] whatever he said I did I did that […],” one user commented. Others called him “America’s new police unit” and “final boss cop.” Family and friends expressed personal pride, with photos of Wilmore towering over groups.

Sports accounts highlighted the full-circle aspect of leaving pro basketball for policing and Shaq’s involvement. Law enforcement pages shared the video with congratulations and welcome messages. The story resonated as a feel-good narrative of determination and mentorship.

Anticipating Future Patrol Duties

Wilmore posted on Instagram after the ceremony: “Final chapter—couldn’t do without my folks and family. Life more than just millions and sports. Go do something you wanna do!” He has said he wants to be known as a community-oriented officer rather than solely for his height.

Chief Garivey has expressed confidence in Wilmore’s future. The department has prepared for his patrol duties, with custom modifications to ensure he can perform his job effectively. The officer’s size, while logistically challenging, also offers advantages in certain situations.

Wilmore’s journey from failing by one point to being sworn in with national attention reflects his determination and the support he received. The story has become a symbol of perseverance and the impact of mentorship.

Conclusion

Jordan Wilmore was sworn in as a Kemah Police Department officer on July 7, completing a journey that nearly ended when he failed the state licensing exam by one point. The 7-foot-3 Memphis native, who chose policing over basketball, received support from Shaquille O’Neal, who covered his living expenses for five months so he could study full-time.

The swearing-in ceremony was captured on video and went viral, with over 6.5 million views. Wilmore’s mother pinned his badge, and he described the moment as feeling “unreal” and “blessed.” He has said he wants to be known as a community-oriented officer rather than for his height.

The story resonated across social media, with users praising Wilmore’s perseverance and Shaq’s generosity. Wilmore is now ready to begin patrol duties, representing a full-circle moment for a man who turned down basketball to pursue his true passion.