Joseph Wambaugh was an award-winning writer and author whose work explored the harsh realities of police and detective work, both as fiction (“The Glitter Dome,” “The New Centurions”) and in non-fiction (“The Onion Field,” “The Blooding”).
- Died: February 28, 2025 (Who else died on February 28?)
- Details of death: Died in Rancho Mirage, California of esophageal cancer at the age of 88.
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Joseph Wambaugh’s legacy
Wambaugh told cop stories in a way few other authors did. In both his fiction and non-fiction, he did not shy away from shining a light on the uglier realities of working in law enforcement. This approach led not only to shows like “Police Story” and films like “The Onion Field,” it made Wambaugh an award-winner who was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.
For Wambaugh, police stories hit close to home. He was the son of a police officer and, after a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 14 years, retiring as a detective sergeant.
His 1971 debut, “The New Centurions,” earned him immediate acclaim and was made into a film starring George C. Scott (1927–1999) the following year. The novel’s success allowed him to begin writing full-time, leading to a prolific stretch in the 1970s during which he wrote “The Blue Knight,” “The Choirboys,” and “The Black Marble,” as well as the non-fiction book “The Onion Field.” He was also the author of the popular “Hollywood Station” five-book series.
Wambaugh’s writing did not mythologize police work. Instead, it often explored the psychological toll it took on cops, delving into corruption, suicide, substance abuse, domestic problems, and more. He created the television series “Police Story,” which explored similar issues in the 96 episodes he wrote from 1973 to 1979. “The Onion Field,” “The Black Marble,” “The Glitter Dome,” and other books of his made their way to the big screen.
Wambaugh’s works were routinely best-sellers. He was the winner of three Edgar Awards.
Tributes to Joseph Wambaugh
Full obituary: The New York Times
