Shaquille O'Neal Sworn In As Honorary Sheriff's Deputy

By Sarah Tate

October 22, 2020

Officer Shaq reporting for duty. The NBA legend and former LSU star stopped by Louisiana's St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office on Wednesday to meet with officers but left as an honorary deputy himself.

"While Sheriff Becket Breaux was out of the office today at an annual training, we were honored to have a very special guest at the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office," the department said in a Facebook post. "This afternoon, Mr. Shaquille O'Neal was appointed as a St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office Special Reserve Deputy."

The department welcomed O'Neal to the team and said, "Thank you for your kindness, support, and encouragement you provided to the Deputies, it was very much appreciated."

While Sheriff Becket Breaux was out of the office today at an annual training, we were honored to have a very special...

Posted by St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Before joining the NBA, O'Neal was a star player at LSU. Since his time at the university, he has kept up a presence in Louisiana. NOLA reports that he helped pay for a young boy's funeral earlier this year after he was killed in a car crash, and he helped fund construction of a new weight room at a local high school in 2018.

According to NOLA, O'Neal previously served as a reserve deputy for the Lafayette City Marshal's Office and has held honorary law enforcement positions in other cities including Los Angeles and Miami Beach.

Photo: Getty Images

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