ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) _ Shaquille O’Neal exchanged his Lakers uniform for a Port Authority Police one at the second annual California Gold Star Awards, where he was among those honored for helping with homeland security.
The fund-raiser Saturday night at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim raised about $250,000 for the Orange County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
O’Neal spent roughly 1,000 hours training to join the police force. The event marked the first time he publicly donned his uniform.
He regaled the crowd with his first experiences as an officer.
“I went out and the first call we came upon was a 261, that’s a rape,’' he said. O’neal said he was the first one in the house. When he pulled out his gun, the suspect turned and said, “Shaq, I just saw the game. What are you doing?’'