Lil Wayne Mourns The Loss Of Cop Who He Credits With Saving His Life As A Child

According to Nola, Hoobler’s friends said the 65-year-old, who had experienced health complications in recent years, was found dead in his home Friday.

The former officer responded to the scene when Lil Wayne shot himself in the chest at age 12 while handling a 9 mm pistol in his mother’s apartment.

Hoobler, who was off duty, heard the police radio report and rushed to the scene with five other officers. With no ambulance available, Hoobler carried then-12-year-old Wayne to the back seat of a police car and laid him across his lap.

Officer Kevin Balancier drove to the closest emergency room while Hoobler held him and attempted to keep him awake.

“Stay awake, son. You’re going to be fine. You’ll see,” Hoobler said at the time, according to Nola.

Lil Wayne, who was born Dwayne Carter Jr., has told the story in interviews. The Grammy-winning rapper said he never knew racism because of “Uncle Bob,” the white officer who saved his life.

Hoobler retired from the police department and started working at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2009. After being fired in 2012 for shooting a man he was arresting with a stun gun, Hoobler took a plea deal and served probation. He later received a pardon due to being a first-time offender.