KEMAH, Texas — Jordan Wilmore was just one point shy of becoming a Texas peace officer. Instead of letting the setback derail his plans, the 24-year-old aspiring Kemah police officer is moving forward with help from someone who understands policing — and what it’s like to stand well above the crowd.
O’Neal, a longtime law enforcement supporter who has served as a reserve officer with agencies including the Los Angeles Port Police and Miami Beach Police Department, has stepped in to support Wilmore after learning he narrowly missed passing the Texas peace officer licensing exam, KHOU reports.
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Recently, O’Neal was promoted to chief of community relations with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia.
Wilmore, who stands 7 feet 3 inches tall and hopes to become the tallest police officer in Texas, completed the police academy and scored a 69 on the state exam — just short of the required 70 to pass.
“At first I was down, but I thought, you know, I’m still young,” Wilmore told KHOU. “You fail, you get right back up. Can’t be too quick to quit.”
Kemah Police Chief Raymond Garivey said Wilmore’s response to the setback stood out.
“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.”
O’Neal learned about Wilmore’s situation through social media and reached out directly to the department, speaking with Garivey during a FaceTime call, according to KHOU. After hearing Wilmore’s story, O’Neal agreed to cover Wilmore’s police academy expenses so he can return for another attempt at the exam.
“I want him to really focus on this because it’s commendable that a kid wants to be an officer,” O’Neal said. “I love cops. They made me who I am.”
O’Neal said he understands the challenges of the process firsthand, noting that it took him several years to complete training with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“It actually took me 5 to 7 years to graduate from the LA Sheriff’s Academy,” he 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 an added incentive, O’Neal said he plans to have a custom-made patrol vehicle ready for Wilmore once he passes the exam.
Wilmore said the encouragement and mentorship have reinforced his commitment to the profession.
“I’m really thankful for him helping me out and being there, and being a mentor for helping me through this,” he said.
For Wilmore, the setback hasn’t changed the goal — only the path to getting there.
