Shaquille O’Neal surprises Gwinnett police after Irma

Amanda C. Coyne, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After days of responding to emergency calls due to Tropical Storm Irma, Lawrenceville police officers got a welcome surprise: Shaquille O’Neal at their headquarters.

The former NBA star was at the Lawrenceville Police Department’s headquarters to film a public service announcement about distracted driving. He stopped to pose for photos with the officers (and an equally excited K-9 officer).

4 Gwinnett parks now have free sunscreen dispensers

“After a very long few days of responding to Hurricane Irma emergency calls, it was a nice quick break for a photo,” the department wrote on its Facebook page.

O’Neal, who won three NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat, has long had an interest in law enforcement. He was sworn as a Clayton County sheriff’s deputy in December 2016. In August, he said he may run for Henry County sheriff in 2020.