KEMAH, Texas — Jordan Wilmore was only one level shy of turning into a Texas peace officer. Instead of letting the setback derail his plans, the 24-year-old aspiring Kemah police officer is shifting ahead with assist from somebody who understands policing — and what it’s like to face nicely above the group.
O’Neal, a longtime regulation enforcement supporter who has served as a reserve officer with companies together with the Los Angeles Port Police and Miami Beach Police Department, has stepped in to help Wilmore after studying he narrowly missed passing the Texas peace officer licensing examination, KHOU reviews.
| DOWNLOAD: 26 on 2026: A police management playbook
Recently, O’Neal was promoted to chief of neighborhood relations with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia.
Wilmore, who stands 7 ft 3 inches tall and hopes to turn into the tallest police officer in Texas, accomplished the police academy and scored a 69 on the state examination — simply wanting the required 70 to cross.
“At first I was down, but I thought, you know, I’m still young,” Wilmore instructed KHOU. “You fail, you get right back up. Can’t be too quick to quit.”
Kemah Police Chief Raymond Garivey mentioned 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 mentioned. “Once they’re done, they’re done. That’s not the case here. He wants to serve.”
O’Neal discovered about Wilmore’s scenario by social media and reached out on to the division, talking with Garivey throughout a FaceTime name, in accordance with KHOU. After listening to Wilmore’s story, O’Neal agreed to cowl Wilmore’s police academy bills so he can return for an additional try on the examination.
“I want him to really focus on this because it’s commendable that a kid wants to be an officer,” O’Neal mentioned. “I love cops. They made me who I am.”
O’Neal mentioned he understands the challenges of the method firsthand, noting that it took him a number of years to finish coaching 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 mentioned. “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 mentioned he plans to have a custom-made patrol automobile prepared for Wilmore as soon as he passes the examination.
Wilmore mentioned the encouragement and mentorship have strengthened his dedication to the occupation.
“I’m really thankful for him helping me out and being there, and being a mentor for helping me through this,” he mentioned.
For Wilmore, the setback hasn’t modified the aim — solely the trail to getting there.
NYPD
Many officers who weighed in following Zohran Mamdani’s win in November warned of mass retirements, decreased morale and elevated threat for civilians — considerations resurfacing as he prepares to take workplace
The ruling clears Christopher Taylor of lethal conduct costs, citing restricted choices for retreat throughout an elevator encounter with a knife-wielding man
These viral-style throwbacks faucet into ‘90s and early-2000s reminiscences — reimagined for a Police1 viewers with humor, honesty and some actuality checks alongside the way in which
“That’s the goal of this, to really get ahead of what’s happening and remove as many surprises as possible,” St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke acknowledged