Inset: Tommy Norman (Pulaski County Jail). Background: Officer Tommy Norman, of the North Little Rock Police Department, doing community outreach in Arkansas (Instagram/@tnorman23).
A decorated Arkansas cop with more than 5 million followers on social media has been charged with domestic battery after his wife accused him of hitting her during a late-night argument, a report says.
Officer Tommy Norman — a 27-year veteran of the North Little Rock Police Department who went viral for his community outreach videos and work with children — was arrested Saturday after getting into a physical altercation with his wife Rosalynd Norman at a home in Pulaski County, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
The local newspaper obtained a copy of Norman”s arrest report, which says he allegedly hit Rosalynd Norman on the right side of her chest with the back of his hand during a verbal fight they were having just before midnight, police say.
Cops were called to the home and observed a minor injury on Rosalynd Norman that was allegedly visible on her chest. Tommy Norman was questioned at the scene and told an officer that his wife began slapping him during their argument and he was trying to stop the alleged assault, which caused the injury, according to police.
Despite claiming self-defense, Norman was booked on a domestic battery charge and taken to the Pulaski County Jail. The Democrat-Gazette reports that he is now on administrative leave pending the outcome of the judicial process and an internal investigation.
North Little Rock PD did not respond to Law&Crime’s requests for comment Monday.
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On social media, an alleged “admin” for Norman’s various accounts — which include Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook — released a statement Sunday saying Norman’s family needed “space” and that the details on “what occurred” were not completely known to them, per the posts.
“What I do know is that Tommy will not be able to speak until all the facts are reviewed both internally and externally, and until investigations are concluded,” the admin said, noting how she was a “woman” who runs his accounts from her home in Texas.
“I understand emotions are running high,” the admin said. “It’s frustrating not to have all the answers right away, especially with the topics at hand. But the process does not allow transparency until it is complete. I ask that everyone wait for the facts before making judgments. In the meantime, please keep ALL of Tommy’s family in your prayers.”
Over the years, Norman has received various awards for his community outreach and police work, including a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Biden administration in November 2021 and the inaugural Citizen of the Year award by the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame in April 2025.
“Even more of an honor is that moving forward, The Officer Tommy Norman Citizen of the Year Award will be awarded annually to a citizen of upstanding character, that is making an impact in the lives of Americans and who also serves all selflessly!” Norman’s Instagram account touted in an April 9 post.
Norman’s arrest report lists his next court date as Nov. 6.
