Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD officer and prolific author, significantly changed the narrative surrounding police characters in literature. His works, which included titles like 'The New Centurions' and 'The Onion Field', introduced complex, flawed characters that diverged from the rigid moralism of earlier depictions, exemplified by Jack Webb's Sgt. Joe Friday. Wambaugh's influence extended beyond novels to inspire gritty TV shows and a wave of new crime writers. He passed away at 88 from esophageal cancer, leaving a legacy that transformed crime storytelling in America.
"Before Joseph Wambaugh came along, the unofficial bard of the Los Angeles Police Department was Jack Webb...Wambaugh’s characters were morally flexible, heroic, repugnant...in a word, real."
"Wambaugh...transformed the portrayal of cops in America, paved the way for gritty TV shows...and inspired a new generation of crime writers."
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