Enlarge By Michael Muller, A&E Not above the law: Steven Seagal has been an unpaid volunteer deputy since the 1980s. WHAT'S ON TV TONIGHT? WHAT'S ON TV TONIGHT? Out for Justice, Under Siege and Above the Law. Now, the action star is the law on A&E channel's Steven SeagalLawman (premiering tonight, 10 ET/PT). On the big screen, he has beenand. Now, the action starthe law on A&E channel's(premiering tonight, 10 ET/PT). Seagal has quietly served as an unpaid reserve deputy in Louisiana's Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office since the mid-'80s, when he befriended the late Sheriff Harry Lee. But Seagal's law enforcement career is no longer under the radar. Seagal, who is juggling a resurgent film career and wrapping up his second blues album (he plays guitar and sings), agreed to have his sheriff's exploits documented to highlight the plight of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and support local law enforcement. "I'm nervous about the way things may be interpreted; I don't want people to think I'm doing this for attention or to benefit me," says Seagal, who co-stars with Robert De Niro in the Robert Rodriguez film Machete next year. "I just hope this gives a shot to New Orleans and the police who need help. They need a voice for the fine work they're doing." Seagal, 58, who has a second home in bayou country, is a fully commissioned deputy and spends several months a year in Louisiana. While on the force, he usually works five-day shifts. Jefferson Parish Col. John Fortunato, who partners with Seagal on the 13-episode series, says Lawman captures deputies in a high-crime arena – interrogating suspects, breaking up fights, chasing bad guys and making arrests. "It just so happens that Steven Seagal is a movie star, but this is not made for TV, where there are second takes or things staged," Fortunato says. "He's out patrolling areas where there's a considerable amount of crime. This is for real." Longtime fans are familiar with Seagal's martial-arts exploits, but Lawman demonstrates Seagal's marksmanship. In tonight's episode, while providing shooting tips, he nonchalantly clips the top off a Q-tip and a wooden match from a distance of about 15 feet. "Usually, I can make the match light," Seagal says. "But it was wet out that day." Seagal also assists with martial-arts training and community outreach. But he says he prefers night patrols, riding shotgun in squad cars: "I love getting out on the streets and helping people." Suspects and bystanders alike are often surprised to find Seagal along with similarly armed, bulletproof-vested deputies. "When we're in the middle of something, jumping people, I'll ignore that," Seagal says. "But the real bad guys don't give a (darn) who you are." Still, some observers are starstruck. "We were at one home prevalent for drug activity, and we're in the process of arresting people," Fortunato says. "Some (bystanders) were more interested in autographs than they were in their loved ones getting carted off to jail." Seagal's film career has been indelibly marked by a tough-guy, in-your-face persona. But real police work, Seagal says, involves more diplomacy that muscle. "You try to be a friend instead of an enforcer," he says. "On my team, I make sure there are good guys who don't want trouble, but are willing and able to deal with it if they have to." A&E programming exec Robert Sharenow says Seagal's sheriff's role "screamed out to be documented." "When we heard about his police work, it was a no-brainer," Sharenow says. "This is the real thing. He's patrolling one of the most dangerous areas of the country. But he isn't out there to kick butt, grandstand or show off. He's a peace officer, looking to protect people." Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more