From on Duty to TikTok Fame: How a Small-Town Cop Went Viral Overnight

by Phoebe Cramer

Imagine waking up one morning to find yourself a viral sensation on TikTok. For Dylan Hudson, a law enforcement officer in Oxford, Mississippi, this became reality. It all started innocently enough: one minute he’s on duty, the next he’s in a trending TikTok video titled “Everybody knows I’m a good girl officer,” racking up 500 thousand views.

Hudson was at first unaware of the viral TikTok. “I just went to bed,” he said, still baffled by the whole thing. The next morning, his phone was blowing up with notifications. “I couldn’t believe it. I had all these new followers overnight. It was like, what just happened?” Hudson’s journey from small-town police officer to social media sensation happened within the blink of an eye.

Later, several other students at Ole Miss participated in TikTok videos, and suddenly, Officer Hudson became the face of a viral trend. Student Alana Harris earned over 3.2 million likes and 15.8 million views. But she’s not the only student at Ole Miss who gained an outrageous number of interactions on the trend. Another, Tanner Shone, went viral, gaining 1.8 million likes and 7.7 million views.

The fame hit hard and fast, but it didn’t change Hudson’s day-to-day job … well, almost. “Everywhere I go now, people recognize me and want to take pictures,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t even go out to dinner without someone asking for a TikTok.” He’s even been approached by local Oxford business, Hotworx; their video received 84.7 thousand likes and 1.3 million views.

Despite his TikTok stardom, Hudson stays grounded. When he’s off duty, he is a regular guy who enjoys running, working out, and trying new restaurants in Oxford. He is an antique store enthusiast and loves to cook on his grill. It’s not exactly the expectation after going viral, but that’s part of his charm. “I’m kind of lame,” he jokes, even though his millions of online fans would beg to differ.

Hudson is grateful for the positive impact this experience has had on the relationship between the community and law enforcement. “I think it’s helped people see us differently,” he said. “A lot of folks have this idea that cops are unapproachable or mean, but then they see us having fun on TikTok, it breaks down those walls. People feel more comfortable coming up to us.”

Naturally, his coworkers haven’t let him live it down. “They call me the ‘TikTok cop,’” Hudson says, rolling his eyes, though it’s all good fun. His colleagues are supportive and even a little proud to see him building bridges with the community in such an unexpected way.

Hudson’s passion for being a police officer comes from his desire to positively impact the community. He thrives on camaraderie with his fellow officers and finds purpose in knowing that his work helps protect and serve those around him. For Hudson, it’s not just a job; it’s a commitment to doing better for the people he cares about.

For Hudson, the TikTok fame is a humorous, surreal experience, but he knows trends come and go. What stays, though, is its impact on his ability to connect with people in Oxford. “I never thought I’d be involved in something like this,” he admits. “But if it helps people feel more comfortable with law enforcement, then I’m all for it.”

Dylan Hudson is more than just a viral sensation; he’s shown that even in a small town, you never know what tomorrow could look like if you’re in a 15-second video standing there with a smile. Whether catching bad guys or appearing on TikTok, Hudson stays authentic, connecting with his community one video at a time.