Jordan Wilmore, a towering 7-foot-3 (221 cm) former college basketball center, has traded in his sneakers for a badge, joining the Kemah Police Department as a cadet. Known for his commanding presence on the basketball court, Wilmore is now drawing attention for his new role in law enforcement.
The story blew up after Kemah Police Chief Raymond Garivey Jr. posted photos of himself and Wilmore on Facebook. The kicker? Chief Garivey is 5’6” and had to stand on a chair just to look the new recruit in the eye. The post—complete with a joke about needing to add extra fabric to Wilmore’s shirts—has been viewed over 3.1 million times.
Wilmore’s journey began in Memphis, Tennessee, where he anchored Whitehaven High School’s frontcourt. His senior year saw him averaging nearly 10 rebounds per game and helping lead the team to a district championship victory over Memphis East, which featured future NBA No. 1 draft pick James Wiseman. After a year of development at Skills Factory Prep in Atlanta, Wilmore launched an NCAA career that spanned three Division I programs.
He first suited up for the Missouri Tigers, where his 7-foot-3 frame made him the tallest player in school history. After two seasons, he transferred to Northwestern State University, appearing in 28 games during the 2022–23 season. He capped off his collegiate career with Austin Peay State University, playing 30 games for the Governors in 2023–24. Despite his size and defensive presence, Wilmore did not pursue a professional basketball career.
Instead, he pivoted toward a long-held ambition: serving in law enforcement. In mid-2025, Wilmore was sworn in as a cadet with the Kemah Police Department, a small Gulf Coast agency outside Houston. While he has yet to graduate from the police academy, his arrival has already made waves
Chief Garivey praised Wilmore’s commitment, saying the former athlete sees his stature as a gift to connect with people. “He said God gave him a gift, and when you can use that to be an ambassador, the positive energy that he’s going to bring into the community—that’s what we’re excited about, making a difference,” Garivey told Fox 26.
Wilmore echoed that sentiment, telling reporters he had “always had a desire and goal to become a police officer,” adding: “I honestly just like to serve the community and help out the ones that are in need.”
On social media, reactions blended humor and support. One commenter joked, “I guess you better call Shaq to get some police tactical shoes for the kid!” Another compared him to Hightower, the towering recruit from the Police Academy films. Others simply expressed excitement to meet the “gentle giant” in uniform.
Kemah itself isn’t a huge city—it’s home to fewer than 2,000 residents—but it pulls in millions of tourists every year thanks to its Boardwalk and Lighthouse District. That makes Wilmore’s presence all the more impactful: he’s not just a local curiosity, but someone people from all over are already paying attention to.
Fun fact: a 1974 study actually found that taller police officers tended to get in fewer altercations, had fewer injuries, and received fewer complaints from the public. So, Wilmore’s size might actually be an advantage once he officially hits the streets.
For now, the cadet is still in training, but his story has already taken off far beyond Texas. Other departments have joked about trying to “steal” him, but Garivey says the towering rookie isn’t going anywhere.
The chief left a message for anyone inspired by the viral story: “Don’t ever let anyone stop you from chasing your dreams.”
Looks like Kemah just found its most unstoppable cop.
