Norfolk, Virginia deputy sheriff George Bell, at a height of 2.33 meters (7 feet 8 inches), is the tallest man in the United States and by Thursday, he will have a Guinness World Records certificate to prove it.

Although shorter than Ukraine's 2.57-meter (8 feet and 5.5 inches) Leonid Stadnyk, the world's tallest, he towers over basketball giant Yao Ming. The 50-year-old police offer wears size 19 shoes and pants with 1.09-meter (43-inch) waistline.

The Guinness record book recognizes only the tallest living man but Bell will be recognized, along with several others, in a special book edition set for release in 2008.

Bell was literally on top of his class at age 9 when he hit 1.62 meter (5'4") at age 9. By senior year in high school, he was a force to reckon with at 2.28 meters (7'6"). His height drew him to basketball and he played for the Harlem Wizards and Harlem Globetrotters show teams.

He shifted careers 20 years ago and became a law enforcer instead.

"I have no choice but to like it," Bell told The Associated Press when he asked how it feels to be tall.

Fortunately, his intimidating built does not rattle jail inmates and often, prisoners find it easy to talk to him.