![]() Favian Moreno, 4, gets an autograph from Shaquille O'Neal during the basketball star's visit to Hiaki High School on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation southwest of Tucson. Shaq was there briefly to talk with kids about not sharing information on the Internet.
Jeffry Scott / arizona daily star
Zinburger All Positions General General Big State Sell construction tools and supplies nation wide. Trades/Construction arizona portland cement maintenance electrician Dental Dr. John Carson, DDS, PC Dental Asst/Treatment Coordinator Sales and Marketing Xentel Business & Residential Callers Driver/Transportation Pioneer Landscaping Drivers/End-Dumps Pascua Yaqui school's 'Shaq attack' delivers warning of Internet dangersArizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.08.2008
Students at Hiaki High School got a surprise speaker Wednesday, and the Tempe Police Department got a major donation.
All in a day's work for basketball's reigning Superman.
"I just love the state of Arizona," Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal said. "That's why I dubbed myself 'The Big Cactus' — because I'm everywhere."
O'Neal, who volunteers as a detective for the Tempe Police Department, met with Pascua Yaqui officials Wednesday afternoon and helped to finalize a $75,000 donation to establish an Internet Crimes Against Children unit for his squad.
A law enforcement devotee, O'Neal has volunteered for police forces in Miami and Los Angeles, and said Wednesday he has been "an Internet Crimes Against Children detective for nine years."
The donation was handed out as part of a state mandate that tribes give 12 percent of casino proceeds back to the community.
Wendell Long, CEO of Sol Casinos, said the donation was "just the start of our partnership," which could include future donations to the Police Department.
O'Neal left a meeting with Pascua Yaqui brass to head to the high school, where he signed autographs and spoke about Internet dangers to kids.
Salomon Molina, 9, had returned home from Anna Lawrence Intermediate School when he found out O'Neal was on the reservation. "I thought they were just kidding around," Molina said. "He's big."
He had the 7-foot-1, 325-pounder sign a pink scrap of paper with a silver pen.
O'Neal spoke on a microphone for about five minutes, telling students about how to avoid Internet predators. He even introduced himself to a young boy, telling him to call him "Uncle Shaq."
O'Neal said he first became aware of the tribe after meeting Chairman Peter Yucupicio before a Suns game.
"I promised him, because he made the drive on a busy traffic day to come see me ... I would come back and see him," O'Neal said. "We're going to become good friends, and you'll be seeing much more of me."
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