The officer known nationally for his heartwarming community policing and viral social media presence was arrested over the weekend on a charge of third-degree domestic battery, sending shockwaves through the community he served and his millions of online followers.
Officer Tommy Norman, a 27-year veteran of the North Little Rock Police Department (NLRPD) who was honored with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, was taken into custody on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident.
According to reports, police responded to a late-night call at Norman’s residence. The arrest report notes that his wife, Rosalynd Norman, appeared visibly upset and alleged that Officer Norman struck her on the chest with the back of his hand. Responding officers reportedly observed a slight injury consistent with the report.
Norman, who built a massive following by documenting his positive, grassroots interactions with community members, was booked into the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. He was charged with one count of third-degree domestic battery, a charge that starkly contrasts with the public persona he diligently cultivated over years of service.
“It’s definitely shocking and disheartening,” said one community member, expressing a sentiment echoed widely across social media platforms that had previously celebrated Norman’s work.
Following a court appearance on Monday, Norman was released on a $350 cash bond. The NLRPD confirmed that Officer Norman has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal case and an internal investigation.
In a statement released after his bond, Mrs. Norman requested privacy, saying, “Like many families, we have experienced both loving memories and difficult times… We kindly ask for grace, prayers, and privacy as we move forward.”
Officer Norman is scheduled to appear in court on October 7, 2025, a date that marks the beginning of a legal battle set to test the public trust he spent decades building.