- The officer who arrested Justin Timberlake has won an award for his actions
- Michael Arkinson was honored as Officer of the Year, after charging the singer with a DWI
- Timberlake had the charge lessened – but fans couldn’t resist bringing back the now-infamous meme of his words upon arrest
The police officer who arrested Justin Timberlake for a DWI in 2024 has been given an award for his efforts.
Michael Arkinson was named Officer of the Year in the town of Sag Harbor in a ceremony on January 31, after the then-rookie cop pulled the Sexy Back singer over when he reportedly ran a stop sign in The Hamptons and failed to stay on the right side of the road.
According to the charging document, Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath”. His speech was slowed and he performed poorly on the officers’ sobriety tests, and he also refused a breathalyzer test.
Arkinson was just 23 when he joined the force in March 2024, and was only three months into his new role when he had his run-in with The Social Network star.
Chief Rob Drake commended Arkinson saying, “Although Officer Arkinson was newly hired last year, he has made an immediate impact within the department and the community.”
Timberlake fans revive the ruined ‘world tour’ meme
this is the last face your world tour sees before it’s ruined https://t.co/G53zkMbYfT pic.twitter.com/bPasFvGoPt
— Argo (@theg0ldenfleece) March 6, 2025
Proving that the internet will never just let things lie, fans were quick to recall the infamous incident – and the memes it spawned thanks to Timberlake’s own words and police mugshot.
Upon his arrest, the Cry Me A River singer allegedly muttered, “This is going to ruin the tour.”
Despite being a 10-time Grammy winning pop star, Arkinson had absolutely no clue that the driver he had just pulled over was Timberlake, and asked him, “What tour?”
To which Timberlake replied, “The world tour” – and thus spawned a viral social media sensation.
https://t.co/9DuXE2YA93 pic.twitter.com/Luvgh8oTdU
— Montana Madison (@montanabohemian) March 6, 2025
“Dude, no shot he didn’t win it. You don’t arrest Justin Timberlake in the middle of a world tour and get second place,” someone said of Arkinson’s accolade. Another added, “Awarding a man for ruining the tour? The world tour?????”
“He brought a world tour down to local jurisdiction,” someone else joked, while another laughed, “THIS IS SENDING MEEEEE and you know what… good for him.”
While someone else questioned why Arkinson had been praised for “doing the bare minimum”, another was pleased the heyday of last year’s meme has been able to live on.
“‘This is going to ruin the tour’ will live in infamy,” they noted.
What was the verdict from Justin Timberlake’s arrest?
he really said this one's for britney and janet iktr https://t.co/7uE3zDkb8S pic.twitter.com/5W3047ts8s
— 𝔓𝔬𝔰𝔱-𝔒𝔭 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰 ♛ (@pussypricetag) March 6, 2025
In September last year, Timberlake’s charge was lessened, as he pleaded guilty in a New York State court to driving while ability impaired.
According to reports, the former NSYNC star was fined $500 with a $260 surcharge, ordered to perform community service at a non-profit of his choosing, and agreed to a 90-day suspension of his driver’s license.
His attorney, Edward Burke, said he was pleased with the reduced charge, and disputed reports that suggested Timberlake was drunk when Arkinson arrested him, CBS News reported.
On the day of his court appearance, Timberlake said in a statement, “I understand that I have a platform […] to everyone watching and listening, even if you have only one drink, do not get behind the wheel of a car. There are so many alternatives.
“This is a mistake that I made but I’m hoping that whoever is watching and listening now can learn from this mistake, I certainly have.”
