Overview

• 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.