On February 16, 2025, law enforcement officials from the Florence Police Department were dispatched to respond to a medical emergency involving a man exhibiting erratic behavior on Royal Avenue in Florence. Upon their arrival, the individual, identified as Rodger Buttrum, became increasingly agitated and began shouting, which drew the attention of onlookers in the vicinity.
As officers attempted to engage with Buttrum, he resisted their efforts, clenching his fists and refusing to comply with their instructions. This confrontation escalated, prompting the officers to take him into custody. Following his arrest, Buttrum was transported to the North Alabama Medical Center for evaluation and treatment before being transferred to the Lauderdale County Detention Center.
During the incident, one officer sustained an injury to his leg. Initially, Buttrum faced multiple charges, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and second-degree assault. However, the charge of second-degree assault has since been reduced to third-degree assault.