After having left a monstrously-big footprint in the history books of the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal has continued to be a staple on TV sets all over the US.
Not only that, but the Lakers legend has proven on many an occasion that he is a genuinely nice guy. For all his indomitable size and bluster – Shaq stands 7ft-1 and weighs somewhere in the region of 320lbs – the 49-year-old has garnered a reputation for being a staunch supporter of law enforcement, holding several posts as a reserve deputy or honorary police officer.
Officer Paramhans Desai, with the Henry County Police Department, Georgia, was shot while responding to a domestic dispute last Thursday. Tragically, he died of his injuries in the early hours of this morning.
As per reports, Shaq, an NBA champion and former MVP, has put up $5,000 of a $30,000 reward being offered by the Henry County, Georgia, police department as they seek the suspect who shot Officer Desai.
In a Facebook post following the shooting, Henry County Police Department identified the alleged gunman as 22-year-old Jordan Jackson.
At a news conference on Friday, Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said: “Let me be crystal clear, we certainly will not tolerate any individual, regardless of who you are, coming to what we consider to be God’s country of Henry County and harming any of our police officers in any kind of way.”
“So, Mr. Jackson, whatever hole you’re in, I assure you we’re coming to find you, we will place you in custody and we will bring you to justice.”
Interestingly, Shaq was appointed the post of Henry County Police Department’s director of community relations back in March, so the big man has a direct link to the ongoing hunt for Jackson.
Officer Desai, meanwhile, married and with two small children, was a veteran officer who also worked for the Georgia Department of Corrections and DeKalb County Police.
“Officer Desai continues to serve, even in his passing, by donating multiple organs which will save numerous lives. Please continue to keep Officer Desai’s family in your thoughts and prayers through this terrible tragedy,” the police department said in a news release.
As per reports, Officer Desai was surrounded by his family when he passed away.
My heart goes out to the family of this fallen officer killed in the line of duty! Rest in peace, Officer Desai, and thank you for your service.
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