Arkansas Police Officer Named 2011 America's Most Wanted All-Star

Officer Tommy Norman of the North Little Rock, Arkansas Police Department has been chosen by the public as the 2011 America's Most Wanted All-Star Contest Grand Prize Winner. The contest, sponsored by Sprint (NYSE: S) and presented by FOX Television's America's Most Wanted, recognizes the bravery of our nation's first responders. AMW will feature Officer Norman's story in its broadcast on Saturday, June 4, 2011 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

A patrol officer since 1998, Tommy Norman is referred to as "Officer Friendly" by fellow officers and is well-known in North Little Rock for his community service. Local children know him from the "Back to School" event where he distributes backpacks and sneakers to children in need or as the lead officer for the Star Student Program at local schools. During the holidays he coordinates community programs such as "Shop With a Cop", and the "Season of Giving." When Tommy is not patrolling, you can usually find him involved in volunteer work, a fundraiser or helping someone out. His supervisors say he builds "lasting relationships" with residents and is a remarkable role model for children; the far-reaching word on the street about Officer Norman even compelled a murder suspect in a neighboring city to surrender himself to Tommy. Recently, Tommy was chosen for the Chief's Award for his ongoing efforts with community outreach programs, mostly done while he is off-duty; his chief says what is remarkable is that Officer Norman continues to handle as many, and sometimes more, police calls, investigations and arrests, than is expected of him.

Officer Norman was one of more than 1000 first responders nominated by members of the public in the AMW All-Star Contest, and was chosen by online voting as one of eight weekly finalists. Then, through votes cast by the public at the America's Most Wanted website, AMW.com, and via text message from Sprint phones, he was chosen as the Grand Prize winner.

AMW host John Walsh called Officer Norman to deliver the news. "You've given so much of your personal time to helping children," Walsh told the winner, "You are a wonderful, true role model and one good cop," he said.

"We congratulate Officer Norman on winning the 2011 All-Star Contest and we're humbled by service to the community," said Dan Gillison, national director for public safety at Sprint. "We at Sprint are proud to service the public safety community and our frontline responders and we're pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor the All-Star Contest for the seventh year."

AMW Host John Walsh will present Officer Norman with a check for $10,000 this Saturday, May 14 at a ceremony during Police Week in Washington, DC Officer Norman will also receive a trip to the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A profile of Officer Norman will be featured in the broadcast of America's Most Wanted on Saturday, June 4th (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. In addition, his biography is featured on AMW.com/AllStar, along with profiles of all the courageous first responders who were nominated.