KEMAH, Texas — Thirty minutes southeast of Houston, the tiny tourist town of Kemah is bracing for something big.
“People are already saying, ‘Can’t wait to come to Kemah again. Can’t wait to meet him in person,” said Police Chief Raymond Garivey.
At 5-foot-6, Garivey admits most people aren’t intimidated by him.
“I have to do a lot of talking to get someone to respect me,” he said.
It’s a problem he doesn’t expect with his newest cadet.
“Jordan’s not going to have to do too much talking,” Garivey said. “You put a uniform and a badge on that man, and just his appearance will probably get a lot of things to calm down.”
At 7-foot-3 and 310 pounds, former Division I basketball player Jordan Wilmore is training to become Kemah’s newest officer. Garivey says he’s already becoming an ambassador for the community.
Garivey first met 24-year-old Wilmore earlier this year after hearing about “a wonderful 7-foot-3 man” who lived in town. The two connected quickly during a visit to Wilmore’s home.
“He was out mowing his lawn, and it was kind of funny to see because he had to lean over just to push the mower,” Garivey recalled. “We hit it off right away. He’s got a great personality.”
Wilmore, who played basketball at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches during the 2022–23 school year, currently works in private security in the area. Garivey said he later expressed interest in joining law enforcement and has since enrolled in the police academy. He is set to graduate Dec. 12 and could be on the streets of Kemah the following day.
For Garivey, Wilmore’s imposing size will make him a valuable asset in policing the city, which has about 2,000 residents and welcomes more than 5 million visitors each year to attractions such as the Kemah Boardwalk and its entertainment district.
“As a chief, I can tell you — it’s a blessing,” Garivey said. “Jordan has command presence. At 7-foot-3, when he walks in wearing the uniform, just his appearance is going to calm things down.”
But that blessing has come with some challenges. Garivey said three companies are working to make custom uniforms and gear. Wilmore’s size has made finding properly fitted equipment difficult, but community members and companies have stepped in to help. One donor has already pledged to provide his bulletproof vest, and another has offered to buy his service pistol.
The biggest challenge: finding a police vehicle large enough. Garivey said Wilmore struggled to fit inside a standard Tahoe police SUV.
“We’re hoping for a truck with the seat all the way back,” Garivey said. “We’ve even reached out on social media, tagging folks like the Houston Rockets and Shaquille O’Neal. Hopefully someone will step up.”
Beyond logistics, Garivey said Wilmore has already won over his fellow officers and the community.
“He’s already one of the family,” Garivey said. “People are excited to meet him, take pictures with him. He’s going to take community policing in Kemah to a whole new level.”
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