Shaquille O’Neal‘s achievements in the NBA are etched in our collective memory. We are all too familiar with his larger-than-life presence on the court, where he dominated opponents with his size, strength, and sheer talent. From his powerful dunks that shook the rims to his unstoppable post moves. Shaq has left a lasting impact on the game of basketball.
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However, there is another side to Shaq’s life that often goes unnoticed. Amid his basketball stardom, O’Neal had an unwavering desire to become a law enforcement officer. Off the court, Shaq actively pursued his interest in law enforcement during the offseason. As a member of the Miami Heat, he took on the role of a firearms-certified reserve police officer in Miami Beach.
The 13-time All-Star even expressed his ambition to become a deputy or sheriff. Envisioning a future beyond basketball where he could serve and protect his community. In his first autobiography ‘Shaq Uncut,’ Shaq reveals his obsession with becoming a cop and his involvement in raids back in 2006. O’Neal actively participated in raids during that time, as he mentions in his book.
Shaq and the Shotgun Raid
Shaq eagerly joined law enforcement officials on raids and busts in Miami. He vividly remembered being assigned to a patrol where he actively pulled over numerous speeding drivers and diligently issued tickets. However, due to safety concerns, officials decided to move him to a specialized unit, ensuring a safer working environment.
As they embarked on their mission, Shaq and his team, known as the Cargo Cats, ventured out in search of stolen cars and cargo. Recollecting an incident, O’Neal described the night when they received the call about a stolen car. The situation turned grim as Shaq revealed they had to alert homicide detectives about two bodies in the car. Shaq detailed the scene, recounting a conversation with his partner Duane who asked if he had seen a dead body. Shaq replied, “Of course. I’m from New Jersey.”
Shaq recounted his experience from one such raid in ‘Shaq Uncut.’
“We get to the car and there’s a guy, about nineteen or twenty years old, with a piece of his head blown off. It was gang-related. He still had a shotgun sitting in his lap, but a good chunk of his head was gone. I wish I could tell you I’ve never seen anything like it, but I have”
Shaq’s law enforcement exploits
O’Neal’s law enforcement gallantry extends beyond his work in Miami Beach. During his time as a reserve sheriff’s deputy in Virginia, Shaq found himself in a botched child pornography raid. Although the Miami Heat Center denied his involvement, Lieutenant Harmony from the Sheriff’s office confirmed his presence during the raid. Despite the incident, O’Neal expressed his interest in law enforcement and his aspiration to become a deputy or sheriff after retiring from the NBA.
O’Neal acknowledged the need to avoid erroneous raids, stating that being a sheriff requires making the right decisions and not knocking down the wrong doors. The raid at a home in Gretna, Virginia, was carried out based on incorrect information provided by the internet service provider. The information ultimately led law enforcement to the wrong address. A letter published in the Tribune detailed how the family was held at gunpoint by a paramilitary team.
Despite the regrettably mistaken raid, officers acted within their power and took safety precautions, as Lieutenant Harmony explained. Subsequently, authorities successfully searched the correct home. Leading to the discovery of child pornography and a confession from a person involved in its distribution. Despite the incident, O’Neal’s involvement in law enforcement and his dedication to combating child pornography remained unchanged.
Shaq continues to amaze his fans, even after his retirement from the NBA 13 years ago.
