Semper Cop: Joseph Wambaugh, LA Cop Who Wrote 'The Onion Field' And Other Bestsellers, Dies At 88

I was sad to learn that Joseph Wambaugh, the former Marine, LAPD Detective Sergeant and bestselling author of classic novels such as The New Centurions and The Choirboys, and classic nonfiction books such as The Onion Field and Echoes in the Darkness, has died. He was 88.

I was privileged to not only interview Joe Wambaugh several times over the years, but I was also privileged to be able to engage in many telephone conversations and email exchanges with him for many years. He took the time to read my crime fiction and offered suggestions, encouragement, and even caught a few errors. 

He was not only a great writer, but he was also intelligent, funny, down-to-earth and generous with his time and knowledge. I shall miss him. My condolences to his family.

I'm going to reread his great novel The Choirboys over the weekend. 

Semper Cop, as he used to say.

You can read the AP obituary of Joseph Wambaugh via the link below: 

Joseph Wambaugh, LA cop who wrote 'The Onion Field' and other bestsellers, dies at 88

You can also read some of my pieces on him via the links below: 

Paul Davis On Crime: My Q&A With Former LAPD Detective Sergeant And Best-Selling Author Joseph Wambaugh

Paul Davis On Crime: My Washington Times On Crime Column: A Look Back At Joseph Wambaugh's 'The Onion Field'

Paul Davis On Crime: Do You Love Cops? Read Joseph Wambaugh. Do You Hate Cops? Read Joseph Wambaugh: My Philadelphia Weekly 'Crime Beat' Column On LAPD Detective Sergeant Turned Best-Selling Author Joseph Wambaugh

Paul Davis On Crime: A Look Back At Joseph Wambaugh's "Police Story' TV Series