Joseph Wambaugh, LAPD Veteran and Pioneering Crime Author, Dies at 88

Wambaugh, known for reshaping the portrayal of police in literature and TV, passed away from esophageal cancer at his California home.

Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD detective sergeant, authored 16 novels and five nonfiction works that redefined the depiction of police officers in literature and media.
His debut novel, 'The New Centurions,' and subsequent works like 'The Choirboys' and 'The Onion Field' explored the psychological toll of police work and humanized officers with complex, flawed characters.
Wambaugh's nonfiction masterpiece, 'The Onion Field,' chronicled the real-life abduction and murder of an LAPD officer, earning comparisons to Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood.'
He co-created the groundbreaking TV series 'Police Story,' which introduced a realistic anthology format and influenced later shows like 'Hill Street Blues.'
Wambaugh is remembered for his sharp wit, unflinching realism, and his impact on both crime writing and public perceptions of law enforcement.