An Idaho marshal’s deputy who was placed on administrative leave and put under internal investigation for mocking athlete and activist LeBron James is heading back to work on Thursday, and he’s snagged himself a book deal.
Officer Nate Silvester told KTVB on Wednesday that he recently signed a book deal with Di Angelo Publications, the outlet reported. The book is set to be titled, “Never Off Duty.”
Silvester became an internet sensation when he mocked James for seemingly targeting and threatening a police officer who saved a young black girl’s life.
“So you don’t care if a black person kills another black person, but you do care if a white cop kills a black person, even if he’s doing it to save the life of another black person?” Silvester says in the now-viral TikTok video, The Daily Wire reported. “I mean, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but then again, you are really good at basketball, so I guess I’ll take your word for it.”
Silvester was publicly condemned by the Bellevue Marshal’s Office, and a GoFundMe account set up for the officer by a friend claimed Silvester was suspended without pay.
“The Bellevue Marshal’s Office is aware of the extreme controversy regarding Deputy Marshal Silvester’s viral TikTok. The statements made do NOT represent the Bellevue Marshal’s Office,” said a statement released last week from the marshal’s office. “The Bellevue Marshal’s Office always demands that our Deputies engage with our citizens in a friendly and professional manner. This is NOT how we expect our Deputies to act on duty or use city time. This is a personnel issue that is being dealt with internally. We would like to thank everyone that took the time to reach out to us. We greatly value our relationship within our wonderful community.”
The GoFundMe account for Silvester is now nearing $500,000. The officer told KTVB that he plans on giving some of the funds to the First Responders Children’s Foundation, as well as provide scholarship funds for displaced police officers.
“I started this GoFundMe to help out my friend Nate due to his suspension without pay over a viral TikTok,” the GoFundMe reads. “As I stated originally, the future of his job is still unclear, so I started this GoFundMe to help him.”
In a video post reacting to the outpouring of support, Silvester heaped praise on those backing law enforcement during these times where officers are routinely vilified.
“The vast majority of people in our country are amazing, decent, honest, compassionate, generous people. We just don’t get to hear from these people very often,” he said.
“Americans still love their police officers, they still love their men and women in blue, and you guys have made that resoundingly clear.”
Related: WATCH: GoFundMe BLOWS UP For Officer Suspended For Mocking Lebron James; Officer Reacts